‘Quiet cracking’ – a new workplace trend describing employees slowly becoming disengaged in their roles due to ongoing unhappiness, burnout, and limited alternatives for employees—is permeating across various industries, particularly within tech workforces. Gaining significant attention over the past summer and fueled by uncertainty in the job market and economy, employees feel ‘stuck’ in their roles, leading to dissatisfaction, decreased motivation, and low worker confidence.
Left unaddressed, the consequences can be risky for employers, especially since signs of quiet cracking are subtle and hard to spot. Learn more about what causes quiet cracking, how to recognize the signs, and ways to reduce it to prevent workforce disruptions.
What is causing quiet cracking?
At its core, employees who are quietly cracking feel ‘detached’ and ‘stuck’ in their roles. In previous years, those experiencing this typically resigned and sought new opportunities, as seen during the Great Resignation of 2020 and 2021. However, today’s job market is less favorable for sudden career changes, leading many unhappy employees to feel compelled to stay in their current roles, as it seems better than the alternative of being unemployed.
This has been compounded by what is considered a ‘summer slowdown’ in the latest August job report, which shows fewer new jobs compared to 114,000 added in July. It highlights that some companies have slowed their hiring and reduced job postings for various reasons, including an uncertain economic outlook. Additionally, since February, wages for employees who stay in their jobs have “outpaced” those of employees who switch roles, further indicating why employees are likely to remain in their current positions.
Recognizing the signs of ‘quiet cracking’
Signs of quiet cracking can sometimes be difficult to spot because, even though employees are still performing their core duties, there are growing signs of withdrawal and decreased enthusiasm. According to UConn’s School of Business, Management Professor Travis Grosser, indicators of quiet cracking include:
- Persistent employee unhappiness in the workplace
- Low employee confidence in the future of their role or with the organization
- Detachment or withdrawal despite completing basic tasks
- Employees expressing a feeling of being underappreciated, undervalued, or unmotivated
It is important to note, according to Grosser, that ‘quiet cracking’ differs from ‘quiet quitting.’ Quiet quitting is the intentional disengagement and minimal effort resulting from an imbalance between work and life, while ‘quiet cracking’ is the involuntary detachment and low confidence caused by persistent unhappiness in their role.
Additionally, employees who are quietly cracking are not intentionally planning to resign or make a dramatic exit for another role. Quiet cracking is a gradual feeling that shows itself through these signs, increasing the employee’s desire to quit, but they have no real plans to actually do so, hence feeling ‘stuck’.
How can employers minimize ‘quiet cracking’?
For employers, quiet cracking can hinder productivity, innovation, and overall workplace culture. Here are three effective strategies that employers and managers can use to help reduce or prevent quiet cracking in their workplace.
- Invest in relevant training and development programs.
Employees who receive relevant training and learning opportunities are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and confident in their roles.
- Foster a culture of open communication.
Open communication or ‘open-door’ policies help managers understand how their employees are feeling, and employees feel that they are heard, appreciated, and valued for their contributions.
- Provide teams with sustainable resources to support their career growth.
To alleviate the feeling of being ‘stuck,’ employers can provide employees with a clear succession plan and meaningful resources to support their growth and career advancement.
Quiet cracking is a hidden risk that gradually makes employees feel unhappy, disengaged, and unmotivated. Stay ahead of this emerging workplace issue by recognizing the signs and taking the necessary steps to reduce quiet cracking and ensure your organization operates at its highest potential.