Quiet quitting refers to the action people take to reduce the amount of said action to minimal levels while also following the rules of their place of work. The reason for the workplace receiving this type of bare minimum effort can vary, but causes can relate to burnout or stress. However, it can also cause a cycle of stress from not finishing work and cause a feeling of helplessness once the work becomes completely unmanageable. Participation in quiet quitting does not equate to a healthier mentality and has no place in in a student’s life.

Critics may argue that quiet quitting can serve as a way to snag one’s life back under control in the event that their work becomes a burden for them. Common examples of quiet quitting in the workplace emerge in the form of refusing overtime, only accepting work emails during work hours and only completing their tasks during those hours as well. All of these actions abide within the rules in their contract, but for places like schools where a well-defined contract does not present itself readily, the actions taken by students partaking in quiet quitting could cause said students to enter into trouble with their administration.

“You’re still performing your duties, but you’re no longer subscribing to the hustle culture mentality that work has to be your life. The reality is it’s not — and your worth as a person is not defined by your labor,” TikToker and engineer Zaid Khan said.

Several think the hustle described by Khan may also function under the same rules applicable to high school. With all of the work piled onto teenagers, students become disgruntled and unhappy with their workload. Mental health upkeep and balance with homework, as well as spending time with family can pose as difficult to control as work from separate classes piles up. One of the problems with managing stress in this way becomes a consequence of existing as a student; homework affects their overall grade. This homework can serve as a source of stress and discomfort for students due to the entrance of homework into one’s home, a place of relaxation. Unfortunately, if students stopped doing homework, their grades would suffer resulting in a low overall grade. 

“Each job has a functional purpose in society and without ‘blue collar’ fundamentals that are the backbone of the workforce, not only would employment be in shambles, but also things we don’t think about such as plumbing and electrical systems as well.” junior Lily Trottier said.

The importance of working hard in school and in a job comes from the fact that employers may form a negative opinion of someone even though the person completes their job exactly as specified. Ultimately, if one follows the same bare minimum doctrine as in a workplace, it may jeopardize their future and affect other aspects of their life. In short, the dangers of quiet quitting far outstrip the benefits when it comes to mental health, even though it may grant a brief period of relief.