Quiet quitting could be hitting the economy - here's why
A recent report suggests that the quiet quitting workplace trend may be impacting economic productivity as workers pull back on extra effort.
An analysis indicates that the quiet quitting workplace trend, where employees fulfill only basic job requirements while declining to take on additional tasks, might be having an adverse effect on the broader economy. According to a study by the Resolution Foundation, Britons have grown increasingly less engaged in their occupations over the past decade, showing a marked reluctance to contribute extra effort.
Data gathered from a survey of 4,656 adults illustrates a noticeable shift in employee attitude. The proportion of respondents expressing a willingness to go the extra mile for their employers dropped from 69 percent in 2015 to 55 percent in 2025. Furthermore, dissatisfaction among workers has reached record lows, while the perception of having an interesting job has similarly declined over the ten-year period.
The thinktank noted that this widespread disengagement could partially account for the ongoing slump in productivity observed since the pandemic and the broader slowdown following the financial crisis. Hannah Slaughter, principal economist at the Resolution Foundation, pointed out that such trends are detrimental to workers and bode poorly for productivity and labor supply, both of which remain crucial for improving future living standards.
Originally popularized on social media platforms following the pandemic, the movement emerged as a response to high demands, modest pay, and squeezed living standards. Advocates online urged individuals to focus purely on work-life balance, adhering strictly to tasks outlined by management and avoiding unpaid overtime or checking communications outside of working hours.
Employee disengagement over the past decade may have contributed to weak economic productivity growth.
While the phenomenon gained traction online, researchers emphasize that survey findings align closely with these behavioral shifts. Employees demonstrated a heightened focus on financial remuneration, which analysts attribute to stagnant living standards over the last decade. However, Sir John Curtice, a politics professor and co-editor of the report, clarified that the findings do not indicate younger generations have become work-shy or that the workforce generally resists changing jobs.
Why it matters
Britons have become less engaged with the jobs they do and are less willing to put in extra effort, a report has found. This shift affects workforce productivity and labor supply, which are vital for lifting living standards, suggesting that employers must provide financially rewarding and flexible roles to secure full engagement.