What started as a viral trend on TikTok is now showing up in serious economic data. Quiet quitting, the practice of performing only the bare minimum required by a job description while refusing any unpaid overtime or extra favors, may be contributing to a broader stagnation in national productivity. A recent study by the Resolution Foundation suggests that British workers have become significantly less engaged over the last decade, moving away from a culture of going the extra mile toward one defined by strict boundaries and work-life balance.
The numbers tell a stark story of declining enthusiasm. According to a survey of over four thousand adults, the proportion of employees willing to put in additional effort for their boss dropped from sixty nine percent in 2015 to just fifty five percent by 2025. This shift coincides with a record low in job satisfaction and a growing sense that modern roles are simply less interesting than they used to be. Many employees cite stagnant wages and a crushing cost of living as the primary drivers behind their decision to act their wage rather than strive for corporate recognition.
Economists warn that this lack of commitment creates a ripple effect that hurts everyone. Hannah Slaughter, a principal economist at the Resolution Foundation, noted that while these boundaries protect individuals, they can stifle the labor supply and productivity levels necessary to raise overall living standards. When workers stop checking emails after hours or volunteering for new projects, the engine of economic growth slows down, potentially explaining part of the productivity slump seen since the pandemic.
However, experts suggest this isn’t necessarily about laziness or a generational divide among young people. Sir John Curtice argues that workers aren’t becoming work shy but are instead reacting rationally to an environment where loyalty often goes unrewarded. He suggests that if companies want to regain employee engagement, they must move beyond old expectations and offer positions that provide genuine financial rewards alongside flexible working arrangements.