9 Signs of Quiet Quitting That You Shouldn't Ignore

If you’re a team leader responsible for maintaining a healthy and productive work environment, then you’re probably already aware of “quiet quitting”. It can be challenging to distinguish from burnout - another major threat to workplace health - and, by nature, is a subtle expression of employee disengagement.

After all, how can you address quiet quitting professionally when workers don’t openly express dissatisfaction?

Good leadership involves reading the room. While it would be a mistake to assume workers are quietly quitting without checking in first, there are certain signals that indicate the issue may be due to passive disengagement.

In this post, we will discuss important signs of quiet quitting that often slip under the radar. Quiet quitting threatens healthy workplace culture and can lead to a loss of valuable talent if it goes unchecked. By recognizing these signs, you can identify elements of a potentially toxic work environment and re-engage workers before it’s too late.

9 Signs of Quiet Quitting You Shouldn’t Ignore

It's increasingly common for employees to disengage from their work without drawing attention or formally resigning. This phenomenon is called “quiet quitting,” and while managers or colleagues may overlook it, it can lead to a loss of valuable talent. To avoid letting top employees slip into becoming quiet quitters, managers should be aware of the subtle signs that indicate disengagement.

Generally speaking, these signs include reduced productivity, decreased communication with coworkers and managers, an unenthusiastic attitude toward social events or extra projects, and others. Recognizing these signs can help managers intervene and address the employee's concerns before it's too late.

1. Decreased Participation

When employee engagement decreases or considers quitting their job, one sign that indicates their state of mind is a visible decline in their participation during meetings and team-building activities. This decline could take numerous forms, such as contributing less, not volunteering for tasks, or appearing disinterested and disconnected during team discussions. Employees who have checked out mentally may still attend meetings, but they tend to offer minimal input, which signals their lack of connection with the team activities and their role within it. 

2. Reduced Initiative

When employees become disengaged, their lack of enthusiasm can be seen in their unwillingness to suggest new ideas, take on more responsibilities, or pursue growth opportunities. Unhappy employees may pull away from team meetings and important reunions. Managers observant of their team's behavior and moods can usually detect these subtle signs of disinterest. In such cases, it's crucial to take action to re-engage the employee before it's too late.

3. Increased Absenteeism

Employees who frequently miss work without an apparent reason may lack motivation or commitment to their jobs. While occasional sick days or personal time off are normal and expected, managers should monitor consistent absences without valid explanations. Dealing with this kind of behavior early on can prevent it from becoming a bigger problem later on. 

4. Lack of Interest in Professional Growth

When workers quietly plan their exit, they may lose interest in investing time and effort into career development opportunities. This could include declining training sessions, skipping conferences or workshops, or neglecting to pursue certifications or skill-building activities that will improve their professional lives. When employees are unhappy, they become disengaged and lose their desire to improve their skills or knowledge. This is why keeping employees content to maintain their motivation to learn and develop is key.

5. Deteriorating Relationships with Colleagues

When someone is considering leaving their job, they may withdraw emotionally from their colleagues and will reduce collaboration. This can create tension and conflict among current employees, as the person's behavior may be perceived as unfriendly leading to a fall in teamwork due to the lack of extra effort. Additionally, quiet quitting can strain relationships within the workplace, as colleagues may feel hurt or confused by the sudden change in behavior. It's essential for both the person considering leaving and their colleagues to communicate openly and honestly about their feelings to avoid any misunderstandings. 

6. Decreased Productivity

A decrease in productivity can be a warning sign of disengaged employees who may be considering leaving their jobs. When an employee is quietly quitting, they may produce less quality work, miss deadlines more frequently, or simply get less done in the same amount of time. This decline in output can occur due to various reasons, such as a decrease in motivation, a shift in focus away from the job at hand, or unreasonably high expectations of productive output within the workplace. Employers need to pay attention to this decline in productivity as it may indicate that an employee is dissatisfied with their career path and may be considering a change.

7. Lack-Luster Enthusiasm

When employees start losing interest in their work, they may become disengaged and less enthusiastic. This can result in them withdrawing from their daily tasks and becoming quieter, as they start saying no to everything they can. Also, they may not put in as much effort as they used to, and tasks that once excited them may now feel dull or burdensome. All of these factors combined can lead to a clear decrease in their job satisfaction.

8. Increased Disengagement Workplace Culture

When employees start losing interest in their work, they may also become less connected to the company's culture and values. They might stop attending company events, show less interest in organizational goals, or disregard policies and procedures. Poor communication and lack of recognition for employee efforts can contribute to this feeling.

9. Browsing Linked-In On The Clock

Sometimes, employees who are planning to leave their current jobs may search for new opportunities during work hours to advance their career. This behavior may not always be noticeable, but it can happen. This could include updating their resume, networking on professional platforms, or scheduling interviews during lunch breaks or after hours. While these actions may go unnoticed by colleagues and supervisors, they are significant indicators of an individual's intention to leave their current job.

When an employee has mentally checked out, it's usually not an overnight thing. There are several reasons why someone might become a 'silent quitter': Maybe they fear their future prospects within the company, or they're tired of doing the same job day in and day out. Alternatively, they could be feeling overwhelmed and overworked even with the most basic tasks. Managers and employers need to identify the warning signs of quiet quitting so that they can address the core issue before it becomes a bigger problem.

Regardless of the reason behind the employee's disengagement, recognizing these subtle signs is critical to preventing a toxic work environment and retaining valuable talent.

To keep an engaged workforce, having a positive and healthier work environment that encourages open communication and addresses concerns is key. This employee-centric approach includes making sure to listen to your employees, offer opportunities for constructive feedback, and address any issues that come up. You can also offer training and development programs to show your employees you appreciate them and want them to grow with the company.