Top Strategies to Tackle Quiet Quitting 2.0

Companies continuously invest in finding, attracting, and retaining high-performing talent that can help them succeed. However, organizations may expect employees to perform at unrealistically high levels and set unfeasible goals for their talent. Over time, relentless corporate demands may lead to disengaged employees who may burn out from prolonged work-related stress, choose to leave, or resort to what is commonly referred to as “quiet quitting.”

Quiet quitting refers to meeting the bare minimum requirements of a job without contributing any extra hard work, passion, or creative efforts to a role. Now, as companies enforce rigid return-to-office policies, economies face downturns, and organizational expectations shift yet again, many Indian workplaces are simmering with rumors of a new wave of complete mental withdrawal and resignation from work—a phenomenon being dubbed Quiet Quitting 2.0. This article explores this new and peculiar trend and proposes strategies for preventing quiet quitting 2.0.

What is Quiet Quitting 2.0?

The expression “quiet quitting” was first coined in workplace settings to highlight concerns about work-life balance and employees’ hesitation to go above and beyond their roles. 

Quiet Quitting 2.0, however, is an evolved trend that signals deeper dissatisfaction from work and disillusionment about one's professional growth. Employees may show up to put in the hours but be mentally and emotionally clocked out, indifferent towards their responsibilities, and disconnected from company values and mission.

This new and subtle form of disengagement may be brought on by dysfunctional work environments where companies prioritize profits over purpose and relentless corporate growth over innovative thinking and truly aspirational goals. Prolonged periods of excessive workloads, lack of appreciation, and unclear career pathways may further proliferate the quiet quitting crisis, ultimately threatening India’s corporate growth.

Factors Contributing to Quiet Quitting 2.0

A combination of factors drives Quiet Quitting 2.0, which include:

• Inadequate recognition: If employees feel their emotional and discretionary efforts are not adequately recognized or yield meaningful returns, this may result in demoralization and disengagement, leading them to quietly withdraw and quit.

• Inflexibility around roles: Employees unable to adjust their schedules for personal fulfillment may quietly withdraw from their roles.

• Workplace stress: Employees grappling with chronic stress without targeted support and wellness programs may feel dissatisfied and emotionally disconnected from their work.

• Leadership stress: Employees, especially those in management and leadership positions, may be expected to be available 24/7 and face excessive workloads. They may feel pressured to pursue relentless growth and sacrifice work-life balance, leading to overworking, burnout, and disengagement.

• Lack of training and mentorship: New managers and established leaders alike may lack adequate support in executive coaching to tackle the challenges of managing multi-generational workforces and keeping pace with technological advancements. This may drive leaders' feelings of loneliness and isolation, ultimately driving indifference about work.

• Unclear career development paths: Employees who feel disillusioned about their growth within an organization due to unclear development pathways or lack of opportunities are likely to disengage and quit quietly.

• Misaligned values and culture: Companies that do not deliver in their actions what they may have emphasized in their values (for instance, inclusivity, diversity, and equity) might drive distrust and disengagement among employees.

Quiet quitting 2.0 impacts job satisfaction and retention and requires a fundamental rethinking of workplace motivation strategies and employee disengagement solutions for retaining top talent.

3 Workforce Productivity Strategies to Prevent Quiet Quitting 2.0

Following are the top 3 HR strategies for employee retention and employee burnout prevention:

1. Reimagining employee recognition and appreciation 

The vast majority of organizations claim to have a recognition-driven culture. They have a range of well-intentioned recognition practices in place to acknowledge employees—think milestone plaques, annual bonuses, occasional team celebrations, and gift vouchers. However, these gestures may not always be meaningful or sufficient to validate individual employee contributions, especially where expectations are exceeded.

HR leaders may strive to move beyond acknowledging big achievements to adopting a more frequent, authentic, and individualized approach that rewards and incentivizes incremental progress. Ongoing wellness programs, public shout-outs, private commendations from leadership, as well as promotions and monetary incentives, can help achieve this outcome.

Employee recognition must be embedded into an organization's culture through sustained efforts. It should be implemented company-wide to affirm the contributions every employee—from leaders to peers, support teams, remote workers, and junior staff—makes toward achieving organizational goals.

    2. Rethinking well-being, mentorship, and support 

Structured support and well-being systems must be implemented for employees at all levels to ensure they feel heard, valued, and cared for. 

• Employees should feel encouraged to engage in open dialogue without hierarchical barriers or fear of judgment. 

• Regular feedback channels, anonymous surveys, and 1:1 check-ins can contribute to achieving employee well-being and organizational health.

• Employees, including business leaders and managers, must have access to mental health resources and employee assistance programs to share concerns around aspirations, workforce stress, feelings of isolation, etc. 

• Executive coaching programs, succession planning initiatives, leadership training and learning opportunities, and mentorship networks should become commonplace in workplaces to support leaders in developing technical skills and emotional resilience.

• Employee workloads may be reviewed regularly and clearly defined to ensure they don't overwhelm employees and hamper productivity. HR leaders may bring in additional staff and redistribute workloads if employees find them unmanageable.

    3. Redefining company culture

Organizations that wish to thrive and meaningfully engage their workforce should strive to create a culture where 

• Inclusivity and diversity efforts are represented authentically across levels,

• Unhealthy practices are promptly called out and addressed.

• Psychological safety and emotional support are prioritized. 

• Time-offs, disconnecting from work, sabbaticals, and work-life balance are promoted.

• Sense of purpose and belonging is emphasized, and

• Success is defined beyond profit-driven metrics.

These are essential employee engagement best practices for companies to keep them motivated, energized, and committed to broader organizational missions. Beyond this, HR leaders may conduct stay interviews, ensure employees receive career growth opportunities, and promote open communication in the workplace to prevent the disruptive consequences of Quiet Quitting 2.0.