What is 'quiet cracking'? A new workplace trend that can silently affect your mental health

Time of India

2 days ago

In today's world, where everyone is chasing deadlines, targets, and purpose, a quiet workplace crisis is slowly creeping in— something many people don't even realise they're experiencing until it is too late.
It's called 'quiet cracking.' Unlike loud resignations or dramatic career exits, this builds silently, without any big signs but when it hits one day, you wake up feeling completely disconnected from your work.
A recent report by VICE sheds light on this growing problem at the workplace. Quiet cracking refers to a slow, almost invisible form of burnout. It's not the sudden exhaustion we usually associate with burnout; it's more like a gradual fading of motivation, purpose, and engagement.
Think of it like tiny cracks forming in a glass— at first, they seem harmless, but over time, they weaken the entire structure until it finally breaks.
And sadly, it's more common than most of us realise.
The cost of
silent disengagement
at work
The Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report highlights a worrying picture. In 2024, global employee engagement dropped to just 21%. This isn't just a workplace problem— it's a personal crisis affecting millions of lives.
Quiet cracking is costing people their mental health, happiness, and sense of purpose. In fact, this silent disengagement led to a staggering $438 billion in lost productivity last year alone.
It's not just about profit and performance; it's about real people quietly suffering under the radar.
How quiet cracking sneaks up on you
Peter Duris, CEO and co-founder of Kickresume, an AI career platform, explained it best in his interview with VICE. He said, 'Quiet cracking is sneaky—it happens slowly, and by the time people realize it, they've mentally checked out from their jobs.'
The main reasons for quiet cracking-- Poor or micro management, lack of growth opportunities, and feeling invisible at work. When employees don't feel valued or see a future, their energy and ambition start to fade. Simple tasks feel overwhelming, and any sense of career growth becomes hard to imagine.
How to deal with quiet cracking
The first step to overcoming quiet cracking is awareness. Companies must look for signs of disengagement early, but employees also need to speak up.
Peter Duris, as per a report by ET, encourages employees to start conversations with managers about their feelings and ask for learning or growth opportunities. Many times, a supportive manager can reignite that lost spark and make you feel more valued and important at the workplace.
'Quiet cracking' isn't just another buzzword—it's a wake-up call. It's not about people being lazy or unmotivated. It's about workplaces forgetting the importance of human connection and support.
If you feel unusually tired, uninspired, or numb about your work, don't ignore it. Recognising those first cracks may be the first step to fixing them— and finding your spark again.
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