You’re not quitting your job, but you’re quitting your job.
It’s a new trend called “silent abandonment” and it seems Australians are getting more and more into the mindset.
Fed up with letting work creep into their lives, from not taking lunch breaks to working unpaid overtime and keeping up with emails and messages from teams after hours, workers are implementing the revolutionary concept of silent smoking cessation.
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They are drawing boundaries and no longer letting work intrude into their “life” space.
“You’re not quitting your job, but you’re quitting the idea of going beyond it,” TikTokker @zkchillin explained in a popular video on the topic.
“You’re still performing your duties, but you no longer subscribe to the rush culture mentality that work should be your life; the reality is that it isn’t, and your value as a person is not defined by your work”.
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As we have embraced technology, we have also allowed work to creep into our leisure space.
And “quitters” say that following their lead is crucial to avoiding burnout and enjoying and appreciating life outside the office.
One person who quit smoking quietly posted on social media: “When you do (quietly quit) you realize nothing matters at work and suddenly all the stress is gone.”
Another said: “I quit six months ago and guess what, same pay, same recognition, same everything but less stress.”
And another wrote: “I did this when I asked for a raise and was told no, but then started hiring people with higher pay and less responsibilities.”
However, while the idea of quietly quitting smoking may sound appealing, some experts have cautioned against proceeding with caution.
LinkedIn’s Charlotte Davies said that by the time you reach the stage of quietly quitting, you may already be suffering from burnout, and more drastic measures may be needed to prevent a mental health collapse.
Camera icon A user on Reddit. Credit: Provided
Glassdoor career trends expert Jill Cotton said that by embracing the trend, you might feel more powerless.
“Quitting quietly is often a sign that it’s time to leave your role,” he said.
“If you’re reducing your effort to the minimum necessary to complete tasks, your heart is probably no longer in the work or the business.”
Others have warned that if you quit, you will likely stop getting promotions and raises.
But that hasn’t stopped the movement from gaining momentum Down Under.
A discussion on Reddit shows that many Australians are taking to the trend.
“I was demoted from a management position to a lower one with fewer hours to study,” said one.
“It went from putting 110 percent into everything I did to doing the bare minimum to keep me happy and busy.”
Camera Icon Australians are increasingly turning to the ‘quiet leave’ trend to restore work-life balance. Credit: © Milenko Đilas – Veternik Serbia/djile – stock.adobe.com
One nurse said they had “reduced” the time they spent at work after having to take time off due to exhaustion and family issues.
“Since I’ve been back, I’ve only been working two to three shifts a week,” they said. “I do what my job needs me to do.
“My work ethic is still strong, but I no longer put my hand up for every other shift and say no to some that ask.”
Others noted that quitting quietly was about setting “healthy boundaries” and having a work-life balance.
“This is something any decent company should ensure exists,” one user posted.