It’s no secret that companies are struggling to keep their employees motivated. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2022 report shows that only 21% of workers feel they are actively engaged at work. In other words, a whopping 79% of employees are either “not engaged” or “actively disengaged” with their jobs.
With numbers like that, it’s no wonder businesses are scrambling to find ways to keep their workers happy and productive. After all — happy employees are more likely to stay.
But sometimes, the signs that an employee is about to quit aren’t always obvious. In fact, many workers will go through what’s known as a “quiet quitting” phase before they finally decide to leave their job for good.
While the exact meaning of quiet quitting is still under debate — some people describe it as a lack of motivation while others say it’s employees no longer going above and beyond — what’s clear is that employers need to take action and recognise its signs.
Here are five signs that your employees may be quietly quitting on you:
1. They’re slacking off on their work
If you notice that an employee who used to be a top performer has suddenly started slacking off, it may be a sign that they’re losing motivation. Lack of motivation can manifest in many ways, such as coming in late, taking longer lunches, or surfing the internet during work hours.
Of course, there could be other reasons for an employee’s sudden drop in productivity, but if you notice that their work is suffering and they don’t seem to care about fixing it, it may be time to talk with them.
2. They’re disengaged from their work
Another sign an employee is quietly quitting is if they’ve become disengaged from their work. This can look like going through the motions without putting any real effort into their job or appearing checked out and uninterested in what’s happening around them.
If you notice that an employee seems disengaged, it’s important to try to find out why. For instance, if the behaviour started after initiating a full-time return to the office after the pandemic, this could be a sign to transition to a hybrid working arrangement.
3. They’re isolating themselves from their co-workers
If an employee starts isolating themselves from their co-workers, it may be a sign that they’re losing motivation. This can manifest as skipping team lunches or happy hours, avoiding group projects, or no longer participating in office-wide activities.
Of course, some people are naturally introverted and prefer to keep to themselves, but if you notice that an employee who used to be social has suddenly become withdrawn, it could be a sign that they’re not happy with their job.
4. They’re making excuses
If an employee starts making excuses for their behaviour, it may be a sign that they’re trying to distance themselves from their work. For example, they may start calling in sick more often or taking longer breaks than they’re supposed to.
Of course, there may be legitimate reasons for an employee to need time off, but if you notice that they’re making excuses more often than usual, it could be a sign that they’re not happy with their job.
5. They’ve lost their enthusiasm
If an employee used to be enthusiastic about their work but suddenly seems uninterested, it may be a sign that they’re quietly quitting. It can manifest as a loss of interest in their work or a general feeling of apathy towards their job.
If you notice that an employee has lost enthusiasm for their work, it’s essential to try to find out why. It could be that they’re simply going through a rough patch, or it could be a sign that they’re no longer engaged with their job.
If you notice any of these signs in your employees, it’s time to take action. Otherwise, you risk losing valuable team members essential to your business.
