Loud Quitting: What It Is and How to Stop It at Work

You found our guide to loud quitting.

Loud quitting is a workplace trend that involves an employee making a scene or openly expressing perceived negative aspects of their working experience before or during resignation. This phenomenon grew out of The Great Resignation, similar to quiet quitting.

This term is the opposite of quiet quitting and is related to bare minimum Mondays, quiet firing, and employee turnover and grumpy staying.

This article includes:

• Loud quitting definition
• loud quitting vs quiet quitting
• Causes of loud quitting
• Effects of loud quitting
• What to do about loud quitting

Here is what you need to know.

Loud quitting definition

Loud quitting in the workplace is all about making a big exit and a statement. Rather than simply disengaging or quietly resigning, workers cause conflict or actively call out working conditions. In this phenomenon, the employee leaves their job boldly and expressively, ensuring that colleagues and superiors can’t ignore their experience. This kind of quitting often involves making strong statements, having heated arguments, or pulling off dramatic actions, all to send a powerful message about why the worker is leaving. This concept may also include employees turning to social media or similar public-facing outlets to spread the word about the employee’s reasons for leaving and the conditions at the company.

By loud quitting, individuals aim to assert their grievances, bring attention to systemic problems, or seek resolution for perceived injustices. Ultimately, the practice is a way to make a lasting impact on the specific workplace and a demand for better job conditions from employers at large.

Loud quitting vs quiet quitting

Loud and quiet quitting represent two distinct approaches to leaving a job or situation, yet often stem from similar feelings of employee dissatisfaction.

Loud quitting involves a bold and attention-grabbing departure, where individuals express employee discontent or dissatisfaction dramatically and assertively. This form of quitting aims to make a strong statement and leave a lasting impact on those witnessing the departure.

On the other hand, quiet quitting involves a more subtle and discreet approach. Individuals who quietly quit may not overtly express discontent or reveal intentions. Instead, these teammates may gradually disengage from their responsibilities, become less proactive, or seek alternative employment opportunities discretely. Quiet quitting often reflects a desire to avoid conflict or burn bridges, and individuals may prioritize maintaining positive relationships or avoiding disruption in the current environment.

However, the same individual can quiet quit or loud quit, depending on the situation. That employee may even do both at the same job, switching tactics from quiet quitting to loud quitting if the worker decides that simply doing the bare minimum is insufficient and a more intense exit may be more cathartic or effective.

Causes of loud quitting

The following causes of loud quitting that prompt employees to take an assertive approach when resigning from their positions.

1. Unaddressed grievances

When employees feel that their concerns, such as unfair treatment, lack of recognition, or unresolved conflicts, are consistently ignored or dismissed by management, they may resort to loud quitting to demand attention and bring these issues to the forefront.

2. Toxic work environment

A toxic work environment characterized by harassment, bullying, or a culture of fear and hostility can push employees to their limits. If the situation becomes unbearable and management fails to address or rectify the toxicity, individuals may opt for a loud quitting approach to express their frustration and seek a resolution.

Read more about workplace toxicity.

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3. Lack of opportunities for growth

Employees who feel stagnant in their roles, with limited opportunities for advancement or skill development, may choose loud quitting to break free from a perceived dead-end situation. These team members may use their departure as a statement to highlight the lack of growth prospects and push for change within the organization.

Read more on the importance of professional development.

4. Ethical concerns

Instances where employees witness or are asked to engage in unethical practices within the workplace can be a significant cause for loud quitting. When individuals find their values compromised or face situations that contradict their ethical standards, they may choose to make a loud exit to demonstrate their commitment to integrity and morality.

5. Ineffective leadership

Poor leadership characterized by a lack of transparency, inconsistent decision-making, favoritism, or incompetence can lead to frustration and disillusionment among employees. When employees lose faith in their leaders and perceive their actions as detrimental to the organization’s overall well-being, they may resort to loud quitting to call out the failures of leadership and demand change.

Here are some examples of bad leaders.

6. Lack of work-life balance

When employees consistently face excessive work hours, unrealistic expectations, or a lack of support for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, they may reach a breaking point. Loud quitting can serve as a way to express dissatisfaction with the organization’s disregard for personal well-being and demand a change in policies or practices.

Here are quotes about work-life balance.

7. Discrimination and inequality

Instances of discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, age, or religion can lead employees to loud quitting. Experiencing unfair treatment, prejudice, or witnessing systemic inequalities within the workplace can trigger a strong emotional response, prompting individuals to use their departure to raise awareness, advocate for equality, and push for necessary reforms.

Check out the benefits of workplace diversity.

8. Burnout and excessive workload

An overwhelming workload, high stress levels, and little support from management can contribute to burnout among employees. When individuals feel physically and mentally exhausted, with their well-being compromised, they may choose to loud quit as a form of self-preservation. This act allows professionals to prioritize their health and send a message about the detrimental impact of excessive work demands.

Here are signs of employee burnout.

Effects of loud quitting

These effects highlight how loud quitting can have immediate and long-term ramifications for the organization and the individuals involved, making it a significant event that can lead to transformation and growth.

1. Disruption within the organization

Loud quitting can cause immediate disruption and chaos within the workplace. Disturbances can create a sense of unease among remaining employees, impacting productivity and team dynamics, mainly if the departing employee had a significant role or influence. Witnessing a loud quitting incident can have a ripple effect on employee morale and can create a sense of unease, disillusionment, and distrust among the remaining workforce, particularly if the concerns raised by the departing employee resonate with others.

2. Increased visibility of organizational issues

Loud quitting can illuminate underlying problems within the organization, such as toxic cultures, ineffective leadership, or systemic inequalities. The act can serve as a wake-up call, forcing management to address these issues to prevent further instances of high-profile departures.

3. Public perception and reputation

Depending on the circumstances and publicity surrounding the loud quitting incident, it can impact the organization’s public image and reputation. If the story gains media attention or spreads through word-of-mouth, it may influence how the organization appears to clients, customers, and potential future employees.

4. Potential legal ramifications

Sometimes, loud quitting may lead to legal consequences if it involves breach of contract, confidentiality agreements, or defamatory statements. Employers may seek legal action, and departing employees should be mindful of the potential legal implications of their actions during the quitting process.

5. Call for organizational change

A loud quitting incident can catalyze organizational change. Such events can push management to address issues, improve communication, implement fairer practices, and prioritize employee well-being to prevent further high-profile departures and retain talented individuals.

What to do about loud quitting

Here are ways to handle and prevent loud quitting. By taking these steps, managers can respond effectively to loud quitting incidents, address underlying issues, and work towards fostering a healthier and more productive work environment for their teams.

1. Remain calm and composed

It is crucial for managers to maintain their composure and approach the situation with a level-headed mindset. Reacting impulsively or emotionally can escalate tensions and hinder effective resolution.

2. Conduct exit interviews

Leaders can take the opportunity to conduct thorough exit interviews with the departing employee to understand their grievances, concerns, and reasons behind their loud quitting. Managers should actively listen to employee feedback without being defensive and take their input personally.

You can use the insights from exit interviews to identify and address any underlying issues within the organization. Then, take proactive steps to rectify toxic work environments, improve leadership practices, foster a culture of fairness and respect, and promote employee well-being.

Here is a list of exit survey questions.

3. Communicate with remaining employees

It is important to communicate openly with the remaining employees about the loud quitting incident. Address their concerns, provide reassurance, and emphasize the organization’s commitment to resolving issues and creating a positive work environment.

Also, improve communication channels within the organization to ensure that employees feel heard, valued, and have a platform to express their concerns. For instance, encourage open dialogue, implement regular check-ins, and establish mechanisms for anonymous feedback.

Here is a list of internal communication tips.

4. Conduct internal investigations if necessary

In cases where serious allegations or claims arise during a loud quitting incident, conduct internal investigations to gather all relevant information. Be sure to take appropriate actions based on the findings, such as implementing disciplinary measures, providing additional training, or making structural changes.

5. Learn from the incident

You can treat loud quitting incidents as learning opportunities. For example, reflect on the feedback received, evaluate existing policies and practices, and consider implementing necessary changes to prevent future occurrences of similar issues.

6. Focus on employee engagement and retention

Definitely pay attention to employee engagement and proactively address any concerns or dissatisfaction among the remaining staff. You can implement initiatives to enhance job satisfaction, promote career growth, and maintain a positive and supportive work environment.

Read more about employee retention strategies and best practices for employee engagement.

Conclusion

While loud quitting may serve as a means for individuals to assert their grievances and seek redress, it can also permanently impact the workplace environment.

Employers and organizations should approach instances of loud quitting, focusing on understanding the underlying issues and fostering open communication. Organizations can mitigate the likelihood of loud quitting occurrences by addressing concerns, improving leadership practices, and creating a supportive and inclusive work culture.

Additionally, prioritizing employee engagement, providing growth opportunities, and valuing constructive feedback can contribute to a healthier and more productive work environment for all. Ultimately, by recognizing the significance of loud quitting and taking appropriate actions, organizations can work towards creating a workplace that encourages positive employee experiences and long-term retention.

Next, check out warning signs that an employee is about to quit.