More than half of workers in Canada, U.S. are ‘quiet quitting’, report finds

Instead of going above and beyond at work, a new report found that a growing number of employees in Canada and the U.S. are quiet quitting.

According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report, more than 50 per cent of workers “quiet quit” between 2021 and 2022.

The majority of the world’s workers are quiet quitting. Quiet quitting happens when you psychologically disengage from work. You may be physically present or logged into your computer, but you don’t know what to do or why it matters. https://t.co/PwZoovpSuS pic.twitter.com/y8Uadwm6FH

— Gallup (@Gallup) June 20, 2023

At the global level, “quiet quitters” were asked what they would change about their workplace to make it better. 85 per cent of the responses were related to the following:

• Engagement and culture (41 per cent)
• Pay and benefits (28 per cent)
• Well-being and work-life balance (16 per cent)

“True engagement means your people are psychologically present to do their work. They understand what to do; they have what they need; and they have a supportive manager and a supportive team,” the report reads.

“They know why their work matters. They are work ready.”

The report also found that 47 per cent of employees in Canada and the U.S. are either actively looking for a new job or keeping an eye on potential opportunities.

SEE ALSO
• Mental health the ‘primary reason’ Canadians take time off work, report finds
• 50% of Canadians plan to change jobs in 2023, survey finds
• Survey: Canadian businesses to keep hiring despite recession fears

What is quiet quitting?

Quiet quitting is a workplace trend where individuals only do what is necessary to stay employed to improve their work-life balance.

Instead of going above and beyond for their employer, workers are creating boundaries in a variety of ways, including:

• Doing exactly what is outlined in their job description
• Rejecting extra assignments
• Leaving or logging off on time
• Not checking emails outside of office hours

LISTEN: Employment lawyer breaks down what employees need to know about quiet quitting with Kelly Cutrara on 640 Toronto.

In response to the quiet quitting trend, employers have begun to “quiet fire” staff, which involves making workers feel isolated or underserved so that they actually resign.

If quiet firing doesn’t push a quiet quitter out, many companies are reportedly terminating these employees.

SEE ALSO
• Employment lawyer discusses ‘quiet quitting’ with CTV News
• Alex Lucifero weighs in on ‘quiet firing’ at work and employee rights

Can my employer punish me for quiet quitting?

If you have a specific responsibility or there is an expectation for you to do something that could cause the company loss or harm if you don’t, your employer might be able to punish you.

However, it’s very unlikely that your boss would be able to make substantial changes to your job as punishment.

Major modifications, such as a demotion, workload increase, shorter shifts, or reduced pay, are illegal in Canada.

If significant adjustments are made to the terms of your employment without your consent, there is a very good chance that you can treat it as a constructive dismissal.

In this situation, the law allows you to quit your job and pursue full severance pay.

If you believe that you have been constructively dismissed, don’t resign before speaking with an experienced employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Changes to your employment in Ontario
• What Albertans need to know about changes to their job
• Job changes in B.C.: What employees need to know

How is severance pay calculated?

In Canada, severance for non-unionized employees can be as much as 24 months’ pay.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.

The amount of compensation you are entitled to is calculated using several factors, including:

• Age
• Position at the company
• Length of service
• Ability to find new work

To figure out how much you could be owed, use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians understand their severance entitlements.

If your company doesn’t provide you with the correct amount, you have been wrongfully dismissed and should contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

We regularly resolve wrongful dismissal claims and can help you secure proper severance.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Should I negotiate my own severance package in Ontario?
• Negotiating severance in Alberta: Employee rights
• Severance negotiations in B.C.: What employees need to know

My boss is pressuring me to actually quit, what should I do?

No matter how upset your employer is that you are quiet quitting, the company can’t pressure or force you to actually resign.

If your boss is influencing you to step down, document their attempts. Keep any letters, emails, or text messages that show how your employer is pressuring you to quit your job.

Once you have gathered all of the relevant documents, don’t resign before contacting our firm. You might have grounds for a constructive dismissal claim.

If you were ultimately forced to quit your job for any reason, reach out to our firm immediately.

In addition to severance pay, you could be owed compensation for any damages associated with the end of your employment.

LEARN MORE
• Employment Law Show: Facts about forced resignations
• Employment Law Show: What your employer legally can’t do

Can my employer fire me for quiet quitting?

Employers in Canada can fire non-unionized workers for engaging in quiet quitting. This is known as a termination without cause.

You can be let go for any reason, as long as:

• You are provided full severance pay
• The reasons for your dismissal aren’t discriminatory

However, it’s very unlikely that your boss would be able to fire you for cause in this situation — meaning no severance package or access to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.

Considered the harshest punishment in a company’s arsenal, it’s reserved for the most serious workplace offences, such as blatant disobedience, theft, or assault.

To justify terminating you for cause, your employer would have to prove progressive disciplinary measures were applied and that a lesser penalty wouldn’t be acceptable, which is very hard to do.

LEARN MORE
• Severance pay for provincially regulated employees
• Rights to severance for federally regulated employees
• Employment Law Show: Facts about the termination process

Lost your job? Speak with an employment lawyer

If you are fired or let go for quiet quitting, or for any reason, contact the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C. have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

We can review your situation, assess your legal options, and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.