What it means to be a 'quiet quitter'

In search of balance between work and life, about half of U.S. workers say they are “quiet quitting,” according to a recent Gallup survey. 

The term “quiet quitting”  has gone viral over the past year to describe a worker who doesn’t go above and beyond the assigned job description. Pandemic-related burnout seems to have made more workers disengage with the goal of climbing the corporate ladder and more likely to question if doing extra, unpaid work outside of their assignments actually leads to better pay, promotions or happiness.

So does “quiet quitting” take advantage of employers? Or is it a healthy way for workers to say no to “hustle culture” and set boundaries at work to avoid stress and anxiety? 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks to two Minnesotans who have been looking into “quiet quitting” about the state of current work culture and if “quiet quitting” is a problem for employers.

Guests:

• Elizabeth Campbell is an associate professor of work and organizations at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.

• Cecilia Stanton Adams is the CEO of the Diversity Institute in Minneapolis.

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.