Can “Quiet Quitting” Get Me Disciplined or Fired?

Can Quiet Quitting Get Me Disciplined?

Could Quiet Quitting Lead to Quiet Firing?

There’s a popular term that’s really just a massive misnomer – “quiet quitting.” This popular talking point has been all over the news recently, and it centers around people who were doing too much at work deciding to cut out all the extra work and just do the job they were hired to do. Some employees may choose this path when they experience “quiet firing” because they aren’t appreciated for their extra work.

To understand whether or not quiet quitting can get you in trouble (or worse) at work, we first need to understand what quiet quitting even is. Doing the job you were hired to do isn’t an issue, right?

What is Quiet Quitting?

Quiet quitting isn’t a new concept. It’s been trendy in the news because somewhere somebody decided to describe setting strict boundaries as an employee as “quiet quitting.” Really, it’s not quitting at all.

At the end of the day, you responded (or a recruiter reached out to you) based on a job posting that described the duties of the job. Eventually, you signed a contract that detailed what you’re supposed to do in your day-to-day. You’ve since taken on several additional duties that go beyond the scope you were originally asked to fulfill.

Quiet quitting happens when all those extra responsibilities are too much and your paycheck isn’t compensating you for them. Nobody should be forced to do work they’re not being paid for. That’s all quiet quitting is – not refusing to do your job, just refusing to do somebody else’s job on top of your own.

Does Florida Being an “At-Will” State Play a Role?

The answer to whether or not you can be fired for quiet quitting is most simply “yes.” Florida is an at-will employment state which means your employer employs you at will and can fire you without stating a reason at any time. Certain contracts and sectors protect you from “random” firings, but otherwise, you don’t have immediate recourse.

It’s unlikely you would have a wrongful termination case in this instance. You’ve set expectations by fulfilling those additional duties, so your boss may look at this as a dip in performance and decide to move on. Now, that may be for the better if your employer forcefully expects you to fulfill more than your role is meant to.

What is “Quiet Firing?”

The other trend to keep in mind is the opposite of quiet “quitting.” Many employees wonder what is quiet firing. Quiet “firing” is essentially when you’re no longer being recognized for the extra work you’re doing and are treated poorly on purpose.

The goal here is to get you to move on. This may be because your employer doesn’t want the hassle of firing you and risking morale or you have a contract that prevents you from being fired. Quiet firing can include refusal to give pay raises, lack of praise, lack of growth opportunities, and setting your expectations lower than the job you signed up for.

When we hear about “trendy” workplace habits, there’s almost always an equal and opposite response from the employer. That’s why it’s imperative to consider all possible responses before committing to quiet quitting or other tactics in the workplace that could risk your financial security. At the same time, you have to look out for yourself.

Whether it’s navigating employment trends or understanding what you legally can and can’t do in the workplace, Feldman Legal Group is here for you. Contact us if you feel like your employer is violating your contract or trying to force you off the job against your will.