In the 1999 comedy cult classic movie, “Office Space,” the main character explains what it’s like to be an employee who only does the bare minimum to get by at work. In a moment of truthfulness, he states, “…my only real motivation is not to be hassled, that, and the fear of losing my job. But you know, that will only make someone work just hard enough not to get fired.” And if you easily get this reference, or perhaps it hits a little too close to home, you now know what it means to be labeled a “Quiet Quitter.” Over the past month, this moniker has slowly become a new phenomenon on social media – raising the level of concern among management across all industries.
We’re going to take a deeper look at this new trend and, out of sheer common sense, offer a readily available solution for employees who admittedly see themselves in this description.
Who are the “Quiet Quitters?”
A recent Gallup poll found that almost 50% of U.S. workforce admit to meeting the bare minimum of their job descriptions. Most of the employees who feel this way are among the younger generation – those under the age of 35. And this is concerning, not just for their employers who would naturally prefer a workforce of over-achievers, but also for those who see themselves this way. That’s because each and every day, most of these employees get up, shower, get dressed, commute, and show up to do a job they clearly don’t love in any meaningful sense. Is this really any way to go through a career?
Quiet Quitting’s Root Causes
There are a number of reasons why employees feel disengaged at work. Some believe the roots of this phenomenon derive from the Great Resignation, which ushered in an era of office turnover. Currently – even as the U.S. economy stares down the real possibility of a recession – unemployment remains at historic lows, and the labor market appears to be wide open with opportunity. Many industries are so desperate for workers that the threat of downsizing hasn’t even entered the conversation. Even so, many employees are up front about not experiencing any meaningful purpose in their work.
A Way Forward
In a lengthy post on LinkedIn, media maven Arianna Huffington chided Quiet Quitters and issued a challenge many of these employees should take to heart. “Quiet quitting isn’t just about quitting on a job, it’s a step toward quitting on life. So instead of quiet quitting, how about ‘joyful joining’? Rather than go through the motions in a job you’ve effectively quit on, why not find one that inspires you, engages you and brings you joy?” To those of us in the franchising industry, truer words have not been spoken. Franchising is more than a route to an entrepreneurial life, becoming your own boss, and taking control of your own destiny. It’s also about finding your passion, your sense of belonging, and discovering a meaningful outlook for your career-minded pursuit.
Circling back to the movie, “Office Space,” the main character ultimately decides to seize the day and reestablish his purpose. What he tells his friend is a cautionary tale, stating “…we don’t have a lot of time on this earth! We weren’t meant to spend it this way. Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements.”
With several thousand franchise concepts to choose from, there truly is a perfect match out there for every Quiet Quitter. And the quest to find the right opportunity can reawaken your creativity, help you determine what you were meant to do, and reignite the spark in your career that may have dimmed. But to get there requires action and an honest assessment of what you want to achieve. We know, because at FranNet that’s our specialty. We’ve helped thousands and thousands of employees transition into an entrepreneurial future all their own, full of hope, optimism, and possibilities.
And we can do the same for you.
FranNet is standing by to help you navigate your own personal entrepreneurial journey. Getting started is simple and involves setting up a no-cost, no-obligation appointment with one of our qualified FranNet representatives. Not yet sure what type of business you were meant to own? That’s fine, too – you simply need to reach out and speak with one of our qualified franchise experts today! Together, we can find a business opportunity that aligns with your lifestyle and income-oriented goals.