Is ‘Quiet Quitting’ Just Setting Boundaries? The Shifting Landscape of Work-Life Balance



The Quiet Revolution: Unpacking ‘Quiet Quitting

The workplace is abuzz with a new phrase: “quiet quitting.” This seemingly paradoxical term has sparked debate, with some applauding it as a form of self-preservation and others criticizing it as disengagement. But what exactly is quiet quitting, and is it truly a new phenomenon?

From Hustle Culture to Boundary Setting: Contextualizing the Trend

To understand quiet quitting, we need to acknowledge the backdrop against which it’s emerged. For years, “hustle culture” reigned supreme. Employees were expected to go above and beyond, blurring the lines between personal time and work responsibilities. This often led to burnout, stress, and a decline in overall well-being.

Enter quiet quitting. In essence, it’s about doing the work you’re paid to do – no more, no less. It’s about setting boundaries, refusing to engage in unpaid overtime, and prioritizing personal life.

A Venn diagram showing the overlap between