In 2022, quiet quitting was all the rage. Quiet quitting is when workers in numerous industries start doing the minimum job requirements and putting no additional time or effort into what they do. It’s all about doing the bare minimum. However, in 2023 a new type of quiet trend is taking over, and that’s quiet hiring.
Quiet hiring is when a company fills spots without actually hiring new employees. Often, this is done by hiring contractors to fill in the gaps or giving current full-time employees more responsibilities than their roles call for.
This strategy isn’t necessarily sustainable, but organizations have their hands tied with a struggling economy, inflation challenges, and a possible looming recession. Sometimes the only way to keep up with the needs and responsibilities of a company is to figure out ways to meet goals without deploying another salary.
So, what can employees do to benefit if this is the reality?
Evaluate Your Worth
If you find yourself in a situation where unexpected tasks or projects are sent your way, figure out the worth of the job you’re really doing. Go outside the walls of your organization and connect with former bosses or colleagues who would be able to provide some guidance as to what compensation or benefits for the role should be, or reach out to others in your industry who hold similar responsibilities to the ones you’ve found yourself tasked with.
Have a Transparent Conversation with your Boss
Sometimes the additional work or projects pile up fast. Talk to your boss if you feel like they are getting in the way of your overall job performance. Being pulled in various directions at once will only lead to frustration and burnout. Make your boss aware of what you’re dealing with and get clarity on what’s expected. If the obligations are communicated to you as temporary, get your boss to commit to a timeline and specific responsibilities you’ll be tasked with. If it isn’t temporary, discuss what amount of work and type of work is sustainable, as well as the changes that should be made to compensation.
Be a Team Player
Organizations find themselves in a pinch from time to time and need help to bridge short-lived gaps. Be willing to jump in and be a team player as long as the responsibilities are clearly defined, and a timeline is decided upon. It’s human nature to do things that we know we are good at or that make us feel comfortable. It might be a nice change to step outside of your usual responsibilities and comfort zone and try different tasks that require you to use different skills. This practice can make you a more marketable employee in the long run.
What about employers?
Quiet hiring is a strategy to help employers save time, money, and resources, especially in a job market when quality candidates might be harder to come by. But this isn’t a practice that should be entered into hastily. Employers should evaluate the talent in front of them to determine which responsibilities should go to which employees. Transparent communication with employees is critical as the plan is created. This will lessen the chances that employees will get burnt out or confused if the goals and timeline are clearly discussed with them.
The plan for each employee will be different because every employee is different. But if employers are willing to put in the time to organize an effective quiet hiring strategy, it can lead to business success and cost savings.
Is quiet hiring the new trend following quiet quitting? Join the conversation on LinkedIn. Also, check out 6 Hiring Mistakes to Avoid.
