In recent weeks, ‘quiet leaving’ has spread over TikTok, with Gen Z employees doing the bare minimum at work to prevent burnout.
Experts have mostly criticized the move, with one calling it a “quick fix.”
Nonetheless, a new study reveals that the tendency may improve employee performance.
Researchers from the West University of Timisoara discovered that microbreaks can increase energy and decrease weariness at work.
In their study, published in PLOS ONE, the researchers stated, “Micro-breaks are effective at maintaining high levels of energy and reducing fatigue.”
The researchers observed that whereas microbreaks did not appear to influence task performance, longer breaks did.
The findings imply that managers should provide their staff with a combination of microbreaks and longer breaks.
In the study, the researchers examined 22 previously published studies on the effects of micro-breaks — brief breaks from tasks lasting 10 minutes or less.
The exercises included job simulations, actual work-related tasks, and cognitive tests unrelated to the workplace.
The nature of the microbreaks varied, including physical breaks, calming activities, and more stimulating activities such as video watching.
A meta-analysis of the research found that micro-breaks resulted in increased levels of energy and decreased weariness.
The researchers observed that whereas microbreaks did not appear to influence task performance, longer breaks did.
The researchers said, “The break duration was a significant covariate of the effect of microbreaks: the longer the break, the better the performance.”
This was especially true for creative or administrative work.
The researchers noted, “When tackling creative issues involving a broader search of knowledge, individuals gain from a period in which the problem is laid aside before additional attempts to solve it.”
Based on their findings, the researchers recommend that managers encourage employees to take both micro-breaks and longer breaks to improve job performance.
The researchers wrote, “Organizations could benefit from training to increase personal resources and organizational capacities, learning when and how to implement efficient energy management and recovery measures.”
According to the team, the findings may also have consequences for those in education.
They said, “Teaching students the benefits of short pauses during individual study for optimal learning can be one of the goals of educational policies designed to boost students’ incentives and accomplishments.”
In recent weeks, thousands of videos on ‘silent resigning’ have appeared on TikTok, indicating an increase in popularity of the phenomenon.
However, even though the movement has gained momentum and appears to be empowering many young workers to adhere strictly to their contractual hours, several employment specialists urge caution.
Jill Cotton, Career Trends Expert at Glassdoor, told MailOnline, “Employees should not view this as a long-term answer to workplace issues.”
While you may believe you are quietly resigning and performing the bare minimum, folks around you may believe you are merely putting on a show because you dislike your job and wish to hide behind others.
Is there a risk of losing your job if you quit quietly? I would agree. It can seriously harm your future professional opportunities.
‘It is difficult to do anything if you do not seek out further opportunities, access to training, engagement with leaders, and visibility for your work and if you simply come in and leave.
‘Another major risk of utilizing silent resignation as a long-term strategy is that your experience may stagnate as your contemporaries advance, making it difficult to find a new position.
And in future interviews, when hiring managers ask for examples of your achievements, you may be at a loss for words if you perform the bare minimum.
This does not imply that the only way to advance is to work yourself to the bone or put yourself in danger of burnout. However, if you find yourself disengaging from your role, consider why this may be the case and discuss it with your boss.
Similarly, Charlotte Davies, a career expert at LinkedIn, stated: ‘The silent quitting fad is a short-term solution that does not solve the larger issue of balancing your work and life goals.
‘In an increasingly unstable economic climate and a more competitive job market, it may not be the most prudent decision and could be detrimental to your career.
Progressive organizations recognize that employees with a better work-life balance can be more productive, so you won’t have to take matters into your own hands.
The best way to solve this is to have an open and transparent dialogue with your manager so you can set clear limits and better ways of working; but, if the talk is not helpful, perhaps this is not the appropriate role for you and it’s time to move elsewhere.
