There were quite a few new business terms we heard in 2022. Maybe you’re already using them?
We cover the business terms you need to know to help navigate the workplace in 2023.
‘Quiet Quitting’
You’ve no doubt heard this phrase a lot over the last few months. But what does it mean? Quiet quitting is when your employees start to do the minimum amount of work possible. It’s usually found when your employees are feeling unloved and have disengaged. Employees are taking their job description literally and not going outside of their ‘day job’. Whilst technically they are not doing anything wrong, it does mean that you are not getting the best from your team.
TOP TIP – keep in contact with your team. Give them the opportunity to voice any concerns in a safe environment. Make every effort to stay true to your culture, despite your working location. Managing employees remotely is never easy but it’s important that your team are engaged, committed and happy! You may find our blog The Importance of a Positive Workplace Culture of interest.
‘Quiet Constraint’ – new to the list of business terms this year
This is similar to quiet quitting, but less easy to identify. Employees will perform the basic functions needed for their job, but that’s not all. They will also hold back information that could help other team members. Information that could help your business move forward. In fact, there was a recent report in the US that stated as many as 58% of employees hold onto information that could benefit their co-workers. We wonder if the figures are the same for the UK? Quiet constraint is another thing that has come from remote or hybrid working. Teamwork is suffering and it’s time to get in back on track.
TOP TIPS – make sure that your team are still operating as a team. It’s true that teamwork makes the dream work! There should be no feelings of animosity in your team. Be sure to check in regularly to make sure that this is the case. And when you welcome any new team members, remember to clearly state their function and skills so that they fit into your current team dynamic.
‘Desk Bombing’
Our guess would be that you have experienced this new phenomenon. Whilst it has always been in office culture, the hybrid working model has seen this become a ‘thing’. As employees are spending less time together, when they are in the office, they are getting interrupted by their colleagues more frequently. Employees are keen to socialise with their colleagues. And whilst this is positive for your teamwork and culture, it can prevent your team from performing their duties within their day.
TOP TIP – set aside time in the week for employees to socialise. Communal breaks, lunchtime activities, festive activities – these will all help your employees to socialise with each other without it impacting on their workload.
‘Loud leaving’
This is another business term that has come out of the pandemic and the way it changed how we work. Previous to 2020, there may have been a culture in your office that if you left on-time, you were essentially sneaking out! The increased focus on work-life balance has seen this end in many businesses. In fact, it’s seen a complete U-turn. Business leaders are making a point of loud leaving. This is when they leave the office on time and make people aware. It’s showing that there is no obligation to work late. The focus is now more on output as opposed to physical hours in the office.
TOP TIP – give your team the confidence to know that they are supposed to leave on time. Show that you take their work-life balance seriously and that you expect them to as well. Keep an eye on that particularly over the festive period. It’s been reported that as many as 1/3 of employees, despite being off work, will be checking emails and making themselves available for work. After that last few year, we all need a break – be sure to get this message out across your team.
It looks as if 2023 is going to be another interesting year for recruiting. Therefore, if you need help attracting people to your company, we can help! We’ve been helping companies recruit the very best candidates for over 20 years and we’d love the opportunity to do the same for you. Get in touch with our expert consultants today.
