“Quiet quitting” is having a cultural moment. People are discussing it across social media. The phrase “quiet quitting” is somewhat misleading, as those practicing it are not actually quitting but are reducing their effort to the minimum level required. When enough workers do this, it is difficult for management to ignore. At its core, quiet quitting is about different values.
When values are redefined, it is common for those maintaining traditional views to experience confusion and resentment. Since management is responsible for ensuring performance, the shift towards quiet quitting complicates their task. As such, it is understandable if managers are not fans. However, expectations related to work change. At each point there is resistance from those who benefit from the way things are.
Working hard and doing more can be beneficial. For those with career potential, the “do more” approach could pay off. The structural reality of organizations is that at some point most hard workers will not be compensated for their extra effort. Expecting those workers to continue to do more anyway is exploitive. Quiet quitting isn’t necessarily a wise choice for everybody, but it certainly isn’t an irrational choice for many. If managers want employees to do more, paying them to do so is consistent with business theory if not always practice.
- Ross A. Jackson, Ph.D., Wittenberg University assistant professor
Kimberley Freeman’s observations on the deleterious effects of not providing in-school meals to students who may otherwise go without at least one nutritious meal each day should be of interest to everyone. The costs of not providing at least one assured plate of food daily is visited upon taxpayers in terms of poor student health and decreased risk of learning attentiveness of the underfed student. Underfed bodies and minds do not support a positive learning condition. Poor student nutrition can lead to poor health outcomes which manifests itself over the long haul in higher healthcare costs which we all must absorb. We should all be concerned as an underfed student population can have consequences for the student, and it can affect you in your pocket. It’s also the right thing to do. Make your voice and concerns known to those policy makers who influence the availability of food for students.
- Jerry A. O’Ryan, Centerville
Editor’s Note: Charles Pater’s contributed column on Aug. 20 was cut short in error for print editions. The full text of his column can be found on daytondailynews.com/ideas-voices.