Half Of The U.S. Workforce Are Quiet Quitters, But What Is The Source Of This Trend?

What is the source of the so-called “quiet quitting” trend? 

Turns out, it’s another point of contention that has continued to separate young workers from older generations: the return to the office. 

As Labor Day sits in the rearview mirror, companies are finally ready to begin the transition to the office, with the world’s largest financial organizations shedding their Covid-19 protocols to make the shift more seamless. 

However, this comes at a time when employee engagement continues to fall, with a Gallup poll showing that under 20% of workers are actively disengaged, one-third are engaged and the rest are “not engaged.”  

In short, half of the U.S. workforce can be identified as quiet quitters. 

Because of the confusing urgency to return to the office, these rates are expected to spike even further, especially if business leaders don’t make the necessary changes to retain their employees both physically and psychologically.   

“What we’re seeing right now is kind of a deterioration of the employee-employer relationship,” said Jim Harter, chief scientist for Gallup’s workplace management practice.  

The disconnect between employees and employers stems from the response many companies had during the onset of the pandemic, where the needs of employees were often put on the backburner. As a result, more workers became outspoken about workplace demands and pushed back against the well-established norms. 

But this divide means more than just unsatisfied employees — it can lead to increased turnover rates.   

Companies are competing for top talent, and those who accept the inevitable evolution of workplace trends are more likely to emerge successful than those bullish about the office return.