What is Quiet Quitting (in French)? At work ?

New trend from the United States, THE Quiet Quitting is to value the fact of doing the minimum at work. Quite surprising when it is presented in this way, however, it would attract more and more French employees. In an Ifop poll carried out for the site The Makers, 37% of the 2,000 respondents said subscribe to Quiet Quitting, “by remaining stricto sensu within the framework of their employment contract, refusing overtime and any tasks that do not fall within their mission“. What hides this fancy which continues to stream TikTok ? A discomfort at work ? A lack of recognition of the company? What are the long-term harms of Quiet Quitting on mental health? Decryption of this trend with Emeric Lebreton, doctor in psychology and founder of Orientaction.

What does Quiet Quitting mean in French?

“Quiet Quitting” in English translates to “silent resignation” in French.

What is Quiet Quitting?

Quiet Quitting is a phenomenon that appeared on the American social network TikTok in 2022. It brings together people (especially young people) who decide to do the bare minimum at work and share their techniques on video on the networks. “It’s a new way of designating what used to be called “professional disengagement” explains Emeric Lebreton. Concretely, Quiet Quitting enthusiasts are physically present at workthey work their hours but psychologically are no longer there. “The employee does the minimum, because he is exhausted, tired or simply because he no longer wants to face the difficulties and stress of his job which has become unfulfilling” continues our interlocutor. He thus refuses overtime, to be asked outside his working hours or to assume responsibilities that are not part of his attributions..

What does Quiet Quitting hide?

For 54% of French people interviewed in October 2022 by Ifop, work is above all a constraint rather than a source of fulfillment (46%). In 30 years, the proportion of French workers who feel they give more than they get out of their work has almost doubled, from 25% in 1993 to 48% in 2022. “Professional disengagement can concern all ages, tired, worn-out, demotivated employees, who begin to reduce their investment in the company to protect themselves or because they do not have the courage or the opportunity to change work” comments the psychologist.

“Social networks play an anti-social role here”

On the other hand, the disengagement of young people who begin their active life a priori -as we see in Quiet Quitting- is more amazing. “By filming themselves doing nothing at work, they participate in this fashion phenomenon and feel valued in ultimately antisocial behavior. Social networks play this anti-social role here. decrypts Emeric Lebreton. For him, “it hides a certain suffering”. “These people cannot find their place, a job that suits them and a fulfilling professional relationship. they decided to act this way and not that it was imposed on them.” Other possible reasons for this behavior:

► fear of facing responsibilities What does the job require? “I go there because I have no choice but I commit myself at least to protect myself like when I was still at school and I put myself at the back of the class to avoid being arrested. by the teacher” illustrates our interlocutor.

► the conviction that work cannot be a source of fulfillment “while it really exists” recalls Emeric Lebreton.

► distrust of the business world.

Is Quiet Quitting bad for mental well-being?

While it advocates the fact of working less to feel better, Quiet Quitting could actually harm the well-being of the employee. “Behind this lightness, the posture of doing the minimum is not beneficial for the person. This will generate tensions in business, especially with colleagues who themselves work and with the hierarchy. The individual who plays this finds himself during his 8 hours of work in these tensions which in fine will create in him even more discomfort and withdrawal“ emphasizes Emeric Lebreton before recalling that “the quality of relationships with the professional environment is decisive in professional development”. Another important forgotten dimension: altruism. “In Quiet Quitting, one has the impression that there is only oneself in question, it is quite a selfish attitude because we also work for others. We must ask ourselves “How do I contribute to the society in which I live? What can I bring to it?”

“In my opinion, people who practice Quiet Quitting have not found their way, they are in a professional context that does not make sense to them, which does not stimulate them. This situation can change. I have met people who adopted Quiet Quitting when, all of a sudden, they changed jobs, companies or managers. They became passionate about their work, no longer count their hours and find the path to well-being. That’s what we’re all aiming for, in the end, isn’t it?

Thanks to Emeric Lebreton, doctor in psychology and founder of Orientaction.

Source: The French and Work – 7 key figures in 2022 (IFOP survey), Les Makers, October 20, 2022