Silent dismissal: how to recognize and deal with this evil

Arriving at work every day, carrying out the assigned tasks and meeting the workload, many professionals believe they are fulfilling their role satisfactorily.

A phenomenon called “quiet quitting” or “silent dismissal” has gained prominence on social media, especially among young people, influencing a new work philosophy.

Let's understand this movement, its impacts on the job market and how to identify and deal with silent dismissal.

What is Silent Dismissal and how does it work in practice?

Quiet resignation, also known as “quiet quitting”, is not a wave of voluntary resignations, but rather an approach that aims to preserve boundaries between personal and professional life.

Contrary to the idea of a lack of commitment, professionals who follow this movement seek balance, avoiding excess work that can negatively impact mental health.

Employees seek to establish clear boundaries between their personal and professional lives. This initiative aims to preserve mental health, avoiding overwork and strain on relationships between the company and employees.

In essence, it is a form of disengagement motivated by limited perspectives, discontent or the search for a healthier balance between work and quality of life.

Unlike negligent or uncommitted behavior, silent dismissal does not imply a “slacking off” attitude at work. The employee simply does the minimum to guarantee his job and his salary at the end of the month.

You may also like: What not to do when resigning?

How Did the Quiet Quitting Movement Come About?

With the pandemic and changes in work models, the hashtag #QuietQuitting gained traction on social media, highlighting the need for work-life balance.

Particularly among generations Y and Z, silent resignation has become a way to rewrite the rules of the workplace and express dissatisfaction with precarious opportunities.

Impacts of Silent Dismissal on the Labor Market

The numbers are impressive, with around 2.9 million Brazilian professionals resigning between January and May 2022.

This movement is not limited to Brazil, as in the United States there is also a cultural change in relation to workaholics.

Silent dismissal is present on social media, generating reflections on working conditions.

What Does Labor Law Say About Silent Dismissal?

Brazilian labor legislation does not directly address silent dismissal, but guarantees rights such as paid weekly rest, paid annual vacation and breaks between shifts.

It is very important to pay attention to employment contracts to understand and protect the rights of professionals.

Main Causes

Among the causes, the changes in workaholic culture, professional exhaustion (Burnout), lack of motivation at work and lack of leadership stand out.

These factors lead professionals to seek healthier environments and establish clear boundaries between professional and personal life.

Read also: Top Personality Traits to Use at Work

How to Identify Signs of Silent Dismissal in the Company?

The phenomenon is silent, but signs such as a drop in performance, slow deliveries, low quality in deliveries, professionals in their comfort zone and disillusionment with progression within the company may indicate silent dismissal.

Carrying out organizational climate studies and mapping the causes are important steps.

How can companies avoid this?

Understanding the need for work-life balance is essential to avoid silent dismissal.

Investing in a healthy work environment, training, motivation and psychological care are strategies to keep employees engaged and satisfied.

Conclusion

Silent resignation is more than a trend; it is a reflection of changing expectations of employees about work.

As generations Y and Z take over the market, companies need to adapt to these demands, valuing and caring for the well-being of their employees.

Identifying the signs, understanding the causes and acting proactively are essential steps to creating healthy and productive work environments.

If you notice signs of silent resignation in your company, don’t ignore it! Promote open dialogue, seek to understand the needs of employees and implement measures to promote a healthy work-life balance.

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Victor Sousa January 16, 2024