Quiet Firing: A Workplace Poison

There are so many unspoken workplace norms!

AUTHOR Noora Bucheeri - MARCH 2025

Quiet firing can manifest in various ways, often through a demanding work environment with limited responsibilities, few growth opportunities, and social isolation.

I hope these conditions don't apply to your current workplace.

On the opposing side, reputable organizations must embrace truthful communication, set specific criteria for performance evaluations, give constructive input, provide opportunities for career development, and foster a culture that encourages the health and welfare of employees.

So, in this post, we'll uncover the definition of quiet firing and help you recognize its subtle signs.

ILLUSTRATION BY Ibrahim Albuainain. Do you feel that you're being pushed?

What is Quiet Firing?

Quiet firing involves pushing an employee to leave without formal termination, often due to lack of training, support, or opportunities.

This can lead to low morale and productivity in a neglected work environment.

Some Signs of Quiet Firing

There are numerous examples of signs that employees may have been quietly ignored, and these signs can take numerous shapes. Let’s have a look at some.

Micromanagement and Extensive Criticism

Excessive criticism is one apparent sign.

An employee's self-esteem may significantly decrease if they are subjected to constant review and negative feedback without having their accomplishments or abilities praised.

Employees may experience depression and an overwhelming feeling that their performance is inadequate because of this ongoing focus on their limitations.

ILLUSTRATION BY Ibrahim Albuainain. Social isolation can lead to serious mental health issues.

Exclusion from Social Occasions or Meetings

The immediately observable exclusion from social meetings or gatherings is strong evidence of quiet firing.

An alteration in the dynamics may be shown when an employee who is used to participating in significant discussions or team meetings is unexpectedly eliminated.

While peers may gradually avoid communicating with that individual outside of essential workplace exchanges that are available, this exclusion may lead to feelings of alienation and isolation, which will only serve to improve the employee's perception of isolation.

Disconnection from Essential Information

Employees may feel disconnected from key information, like project updates, policy changes, or important announcements.

This lack of communication can lead to frustration, disengagement, and hinder their performance due to missing crucial information.

Neglecting Employee’s Growth and Development

Another troubling sign of silent termination is the lack of conversations about future career opportunities.

ILLUSTRATION BY Ibrahim Albuainain. Career development can't be overlooked!

An employee could sense decline and neglected if management don't have discussions regarding their personal development, progress, and prospects for promotion within the organization.

Employees may begin to doubt their role within the team because of this lack of communication.

This might suggest that the management is not interested in their growth.

Absence of Appreciation

Dismissing career advancement or financial rewards can signal quiet firing.

Seeing colleagues consistently recognized while your own achievements go unnoticed can breed resentment and demotivation.

Such behavior may lead employees to seek opportunities elsewhere, feeling their efforts are undervalued.

Some of the Reasons Behind Quiet Firing

Poor Management

A poorly managed team is particularly vulnerable to the issues I mentioned above, which can ultimately lead to quiet firing.

Digital Communication Barriers

Absence of direct communication and support can lead to frustration among employees, causing them to seek other opportunities instead of addressing concerns with their supervisor.

The rise of digital communication in the workplace has also contributed to the quiet firing phenomenon.

Cost of Legal Termination

Traditional employee termination often comes with hefty financial burdens for some organizations.

These include end of service packages, the expense of hiring replacements, and the loss of valuable insider knowledge.

To avoid these costs, some organizations may opt for a more indirect strategy, subtly encouraging employees to leave on their own accord.

Avoiding Bad Publicity

Rather than directly terminating employees, some organizations allow quiet firing to become ingrained in their HR practices.

This approach helps them avoid the negative associations that come with formal dismissals.

Practical Steps for Reducing Quiet Firing

1.   Foster a positive workplace culture through inclusion and respect.

2.   Establish open communication between employees and management.

3.   Raise awareness about quiet firing through training and campaigns.

4.   Provide anonymous feedback channels for employees to share concerns.

We would love to hear your comments about this blog post in the comment section.

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References available upon request.