A Culture of Quiet Quitting
The rise and fall of "quiet quitting" trend highlights a growing dissatisfaction with the current state of work culture. While quiet quitting was never really new, it gave a name to something many people had already been doing for years. It reflects a deeper shift in the way people view their jobs and prioritize their well-being over their work.
The Covid-19 pandemic forced many people to reassess their priorities and recognize the importance of work-life balance. As a result, workers are increasingly demanding more from their jobs, not just in terms of pay and benefits but in terms of respect, flexibility, and work-life balance.
However, Business Insider suggests that the trend towards quiet quitting may be short-lived as companies are pushing workers back into the grind. This indicates that employers may not be fully recognising the importance of creating a healthy work environment and may struggle to retain top talent if they fail to meet these demands.
Better management practices that align with the organizational culture of an industry can lead to higher productivity levels. Industry-standard practices influence workers' relationships with their work, and better managerial practices can foster an organizational culture that motivates workers to be more effective within their work and avoid quiet-quitting.
San Park and Kim (2011) investigated the role of work practices' alignment with organizational culture and nurses' subsequent motivation and productivity. The study found that a hierarchical culture positively correlated with turnover intention, while a consensual culture that fostered collaboration had the worst turnover intention. The results suggest that work practices that can correlate with the culture of that specific organization can lead to better productivity levels. But a culture that misaligns management and productivity is doomed to lead to unproductive and unmotivated workers.
The trend towards quiet quitting highlights a growing desire among workers for a better work-life balance and a healthier work environment. It also emphasises the importance of organisational culture fostering motivation and productivity among employees. Employers who recognize these needs and adapt their work practices accordingly are likely to attract and retain top talent.