Quiet Quitting

 

The term has become popular.

Aug. 23, 2022. “I recently learned about this term called 'quiet quitting' where you're not outright quitting your job, but you're quitting the idea of going above and beyond,” says Zaiad Khan, of TikTok.

It is a different time for employment. First there are no jobs and then there are lots of jobs. People work at home and people work in offices. People work in fields, on streets, on rooftops, running wires, digging ditches, laying pipe and driving gigantic machines to dig the dirt or deliver the goods.

There seems to be a union movement going on to represent workers who were working on a time clock. If you worked beyond your designated shift was called ‘overtime’ and you were paid time and a half. Overtime has to be approved by a supervisor. So trying to get ahead in the career line, one had to suck up to the boss for more hours and making an impression on management to move you up the job ladder.

The employment application asked basic questions but until the job description was defined was a career path formed. Once hired, a supervisor showed the technique to achieve your assigned tasked. You were also given when to arrive at work, when there were breaks and clocking out when the whistle blew. It was pretty simple.

So now ‘quiet quitting’ means work to accomplish your task…then stop.

When we had test in school, the teacher would had out the question and then say ‘Begin’ expecting everyone to follow the instructions and then put the pencils and paper down when the teacher said, “Stop”. It was pretty simple.

Then there were a few who always raised their hands asking if we should double-space the answers or use a #2 pencil or if they could be excused to get a drink of water. You know who they are.

Then there were the go-getters. Can I get you another cup of coffee? Can I volunteer to participate in the company event wearing a goofy t-shirt and handing out promotional cups or pamphlets on a weekend away from your family?

I worked with people who avoided accomplishing a task they were hired for. I supervised people who had been previously instructed to only perform the assigned task.

I don’t work now but I wonder where this trend is going. Will the Uber driver drop you off at the side of the road saying their shift is over? Will the checkout cashier at Target walk off in the middle of your purchase to take a break? Will the 911-call be completed when the bell rings?

I remember management looking over shoulders of employees. How many hours on the phone? How many bathroom breaks? Did you arrive on time? Did you leave early?

Good luck to the quiet quitters. Unfortunately the digital age has a time clock on your every movement. Even at home, someone is watching.

If you decide to really quit, they are hiring at Burger World.