Work Life Office
Cracks in the armor
Frequent workplace disengagement could be a sign of ‘quiet cracking’
By Jason Walsh
R ecall the phenomenon of boiling frog syndrome: If a problem increases gradually enough, a person can remain unaware of the impending harm (aka a frog in cold water with the temperature slowly rising). That’s the idea behind a new workplace trend dubbed “quiet cracking”—a form of employee disengagement when people slowly lose workplace satisfaction and motivation, often without being aware of it. TalentLMS, an employee training platform, describes the phenomenon as a “hidden crisis silently reshaping work.” This new form of disengagement may sound similar to “quiet quitting”—the post-pandemic act of fulfilling the bare minimum of job requirements as a way of achieving a better work-life balance—but HR watchdogs are describing “cracking” as far more troubling. Where quiet quitting was a form of self-empowerment, quiet cracking is a result of career unhappiness
and anxiety.
As career coach Emily Button-Lynham told Stylist magazine, “In an uncertain economy, we’re seeing businesses pause internal role movement or opportunities for progression, which is causing individuals to feel like they’re stagnating or under- appreciated.” She also said toxic workplace cultures can lead to feeling “a lack of trust and psychological safety.” The use of the word “cracking” is an allusion to an egg—once cracked, it’s hard to repair the damage. In a survey of employees conducted by TalentLMS, about half said they
in symptoms such as trouble sleeping, headaches and muscle aches.
occasionally feel disengaged at work; 20% reported constant dissatisfaction. Experts warn such feelings could manifest
5 signs you might be ‘quiet cracking’ • You’re constantly busy, but don’t get much done • You constantly ignore work messages and emails • Handing in work at the last minute • You’ve stopped collaborating with your coworkers • You’re constantly putting off work by doing small, “busy work” tasks Source: Huffingtonpost.com
August 2025
NorthBaybiz 15
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