Yahoo Finance Quiet quitting? Try these 3 tips for a better work life balance instead
‘Quiet Quitting’ is where you take a step back from the demands of your role and do the bare minimum to remain employed so you can have a better work life balance.
With the rise of working from home, the exodus from the cities and reluctance to come back to the office, we know a better work life balance is becoming increasingly important to people and it’s a topic that is driving lively debate and discussion on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn.
If you’re facing burn out, quiet quitting might sound like a great idea, but with Australia’s economy at near full employment and uncertain times ahead, employers may be starting to become more cautious about hiring and less averse to firing.
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As such, quiet quitting may not be a prudent move - what might look like quietly getting the core job done to you, could be perceived as a general lack of commitment and enthusiasm by your employer.
“The quiet quitting trend is a short-term fix and doesn’t address the bigger issue of striking the right balance between your priorities at work and life," LinkedIn career expert Cayla Dengate said.
“In an increasingly uncertain economic environment and tougher jobs market, it might not be the most prudent move and could hamper your career.
“Progressive workplaces understand that employees who have better work-life balance can be more productive and want to support you, so you won’t need to take matters into your own hands.
“Having an open and transparent conversation with your manager is the best way to address this so you can set clear boundaries and better ways of working, however, if the conversation isn’t productive perhaps it’s not the right role for you and it’s time to look for something new.”
Here are Cayla’s top three tips to to help strike a better work life balance:
Over communicate: Quiet quitting may feel like the short answer, however the long term solution is finding the underlying issues and tackling them head on. Reaching out to your professional network for advice can also be a powerful tool, and we’ve seen lots of examples of LinkedIn members sharing their own experiences to support each other through challenging times.
Try to outline ‘why’ you feel this way: Outlining exactly why you feel burnt out, with examples, and being honest about it will help prepare you for when you want to have those honest and challenging conversations with your manager. The pandemic has changed how many companies work, with employers realising that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
Set work boundaries: As things get challenging in the workplace, it’s important to set boundaries to achieve a better work-life balance. We’ve seen lots of examples of people sharing what they do to achieve this, ranging from using their lunch breaks for walks or exercise to the importance of gardening for mental health. Taking this time can put you in a better frame of mind, helping to make you more productive and positive about your workload.
What if that doesn’t work?
Well it might be time to re-evaluate your career journey, AKA look for another job.
Dengate said while many employers will be eager to ensure that their teams are happy at work, sometimes things don’t always work out.
If your manager or employer isn’t responsive and you feel things won’t change, it might be time to search for a new role where you feel better engaged and valued.
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