A common term that’s often used by employees is “quiet quitting.” It’s a term that essentially means that an employee is setting boundaries within their workplace and will only do the bare minimum of their work.
Some employers are adopting this term and are “quiet firing” employees. Quiet firing is the act of making a workplace uninhabitable. The intent is to push an employee out of the workplace without having to pay unemployment or severance packages. Here are a few signs of quiet firing:
Are you receiving less/more work?
If you notice that you’re getting much less work than you’re used to doing, then this could be the first sign of quiet firing. Having less work is supposed to make you feel useless or unnecessary at your job to the point that you would find better job opportunities that acknowledge your skills.
Alternatively, you may be given too much work. As a result, you may miss deadlines or become too stressed. This work may not even be possible for you to do with your skills and knowledge.
Were you denied a promotion or raise?
You may have been working so much that you almost guaranteed yourself a promotion or raise. You might have even been told you would get a raise. However, you may have been passed over without any reason. This could be an act of trying to undermine or gaslight you.
Is your work being given to someone else?
You could notice that your work is being given to someone else. Maybe this is a new hire or a coworker you work closely with. There may be no reason for your work to be passed around, but it could be another way to make it seem like you’re not needed at your job.
Your job shouldn’t be in jeopardy because an employer is trying to save money. If you believe you’re a victim of quiet firing, then it can help to learn about your legal rights.