‘The spark is gone’: The new workplace trend that has bosses worried

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From quiet quitting to the great resignation, there’s always new a workplace trend that describes the general feeling we have towards our job.

External factors like the relentless cost-of-living crisis lead can have a big impact on how we feel at work, but our mood can also be determined by more day-to-day things, like how our boss makes us feel.

Feel like you’re slowly beginning to hate your job? You could be quiet cracking.

The latest fad at work is “quiet cracking″⁣ – a new buzzword used to describe the slow but steady erosion of workplace satisfaction.

The phrase, coined by learning management system TalentLMS, describes a persistent “workplace funk ″⁣that leads to disengagement, poor performance and an urge to quit your job.

Unlike the more physical, exhausting manifestation of burnout, this is a feeling of disconnection at work and the people around you, which can lead to disengagement and decreased productivity if left unchecked.

TalentLMS asked workers how they feel about their work right now, discovering that one in five employees are experiencing that persistent sense of dissatisfaction on a frequent or constant basis. Another 34 per cent say they experience it occasionally.

We’re not wired for constant pressure, and without space to rest and reset, it’s easy to reach breaking point.

Anshu Arora, director of customer service and growth, RMIT Online

The research also found that job insecurity and a lack of confidence about the future security of our role can contribute to the issue.

It’s a major concern for workplaces trying to keep employees engaged and motivated given so many workers are experiencing financial pressures and slow wage growth.

Lucid Software senior sales director James Harkin says as a manager, he is acutely aware of the issues that come with workers struggling with unhappiness at work and feeling disconnected.

“When workers can’t see the impact of their contributions, feel unheard or suffer digital fatigue from endless unclear meetings, quiet cracking sets in,” Harkin, based in Sydney, says.

Unmanageable workloads can lead to quite cracking. Trying to find basic information to do their jobs can also add unnecessary stress, and inconsistent hybrid work policies can impact productivity and motivation. Workers can also feel genuine anxiety around the adoption of new technologies, he says.

“A growing source of uncertainty is the wave of new tools being introduced at work. For example, companies are exploring how to implement AI, but many employees are left without the training of context to use it effectively.”

Spotting people struggling with quiet cracking can be hard. “These workers are still getting the work done, but the spark is gone. They might withdraw from projects you once enjoyed, stop sharing ideas, or skip optional meetings and social time. The signs are subtle, but they still point to a slow disengagement,” he says.

Anshu Arora, director of customer service and growth, RMIT Online.

Harkin urged workers to speak up, be clear about expectations and ask how your role fits into the bigger picture. “Ask for clarity and support, especially during times of change to reduce stress.”

In Melbourne, fellow manager Anshu Arora blamed the “always on ″⁣mentality at work, which she says has become the norm for many.

The director of customer service and growth, RMIT Online says: “We’re not wired for constant pressure, and without space to rest and reset, it’s easy to reach breaking point.”

She urged workers to set work-life boundaries, protect their downtime and define what’s truly urgent. “If you’ve already reached the point of quiet cracking, the most important thing is to go gently.”

“Speak to someone you trust, whether that be a manager, a friend or a professional, and look for small, manageable ways to rebuild. This could mean setting clearer boundaries, getting creative outside of work or diving into learning that helps you regain direction or confidence.”

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