15 September, 2022
4 Employee Engagement Strategies to Combat the “Quiet Quitting” Trend
Quiet Quitting, the trend that is going viral on social media is a cardinal indicator of diminished employee engagement, where team members refuse to go above and beyond but fulfill the bare minimum requirements to retain their jobs. This phenomenon stems from a disproportionate work-life balance caused by the exorbitant hustle culture and impeding employee burnout.
Quiet quitting can take many forms- Employees may turn down projects, take up only those assignments that require less effort, stop volunteering for tasks that fall outside their standard job description, and alienate themselves from coworkers and managers. A burning question that needs to be addressed here is- Has the ‘Great Resignation’ trend metamorphosed into a new kind of employee disengagement? How do you handle quiet quitters and prevent this silent form of non-compliance?
Read on to know!
The ‘Why’ and ‘How’ behind Quiet Quitting
Consider this- The coveted “Employee of the Month” or “Star Performer” title demands a lot of hustle, perseverance, and motivation to go the extra mile. Although helpful in uplifting productivity and elevating business performance, such namesake awards do not entail any real material benefit to the employee, and certainly do not contribute to employee engagement. Unless you have an innovate and holistic R&R framework in place, it is almost impossible to suffice your workforce’s psychological needs and boost the happiness quotient.
So, what can disengaged employees do when their expectations are unmet, boundaries are crossed, and there is no palpable advantage in shouldering extra workload? Enter the quiet quitting mode- “No one cares either way, so why even try?”
The good news is, there’s a simple solution to this conundrum- Focus on employee engagement, ramp up the employee experience, and add a dash of rewards and recognition! Here are 4 effective strategies that can work.
1. Employee Recognition to the Rescue!
Quiet quitters have a tendency of feeling under-appreciated, as more often not, their efforts go unnoticed. Employee recognition tools are the best way to ensure that appreciation is free-flowing, in-time, and fair. By acknowledging and recognizing employees for a multitude of desirable characteristics, you show your people that they matter and so does their role as an integral part of the organization. Not to mention, rewards and recognition boosts productivity and encourages employees to go the extra mile.
Check out this list of employee appreciation ideas.
2. Engage to Connect!
A sage disconnect between employees and with their employer is one of the major reasons for quiet quitting. Building a strong rapport and nurturing bonds at the workplace can bridge this gap, but how do you do that amid the hybrid work culture and the digital transformation era? Leverage a digital employee engagement platform!
Virtual engagement features such as surveys, quizzes, talent contests, online discussion forums, gamified R&R elements, and an exclusive social wall can all be extremely helpful in fostering a human connect and instilling a sense of belonging within your workforce.
Connect with us to explore our myriad offerings in this field!
3. Prioritize Employee Wellness
When you prioritize your employees’ mental, physical, and emotional wellness, they will not need to defend themselves against potential burnout by pulling back professionally. On the other hand, if employees feel neglected or disregarded as human beings, they will automatically use quiet quitting as a self-defense mechanism.
Thus, emphasize your commitment to employee wellbeing by adopting digital tools that can ensure an equal, smooth, and streamlined flow of wellness strategies. An employee engagement software offers various features that can prove to be instrumental in this regard.
Don’t forget to go through our guide on employee wellness for the hybrid work era.
4. Innovate Performance Management
Maintaining a consistent performance feedback cycle is rudimentary to keeping employees engaged. Positive feedback and correspondent recognition for a job well done spurs a jolt of motivation, while re-directive feedback gives them an opportunity to learn and grow. Additionally, when team members feel like their manager is proactively looking out for them and is involved in day-to-day tasks, there’s no reason to feel disconnected or alienated!
Ready to Combat the Quiet Quitting Trend?
Quiet quitting can be tricky to spot because some warning signs, such as absenteeism, low morale, and inconsistent performance may be non-intentional. However, regardless of the cause, it is always a good idea to address shifts in behaviors and track employee sentiment. That being said, it is the responsibility of HR and business leaders to nurture a healthy organizational culture and fix workplace dysfunctions so that employees can strike a healthy work-life balance.
Concerned about quiet quitting and curious about the possible solutions? Get in touch with us to know how our digital employee engagement strategies can help!