Millennials have started ‘quiet vacationing’ instead of asking their boss for time off

Published 20:21 23 May 2024 GMT+1

A new practice in work culture is reportedly emerging among millennials.

Us millennials just can’t seem to catch a break, or can we, as the world’s most maligned generation is up to something in the same vein as the ‘quiet quitting’ phenomenon.

For those who are not aware, ‘quiet quitting’ is a practice commonly carried out by people who are disillusioned with their job.

It means that someone only does the duties and obligations laid out in their work contract – and nothing more.

Proponents of the practice point out that it’s not so much ‘quiet quitting’ as ‘doing the job you’re contracted to do’.

They argue that it’s only viewed as a thing at all because of toxic workplace culture which informally requires people to go ‘above and beyond’.

But now a new phenomenon is emerging which is similar to quiet quitting, only slightly different.

So what is this new phenomenon which is doing the rounds among millennials?

The new trend is popular among millennials. (10’000 Hours / Getty)

It’s called ‘quiet vacationing’, and is slightly different to the previous practice of quiet quitting.

This is more to do with people not feeling as though they have enough work-life balance, and can be a sign that a workplace doesn’t have enough balance for paid time off.

In the US a shocking 78 percent of employees say that they don’t take all of their PTO days, with the highest proportion being among Gen Z and millennials.

Despite this, they’re still taking their breaks – just not officially.

As many as four in 10 millennials admitted that they had taken unofficial time off without telling their manager.

Others said that they occasionally gave their mouse a jiggle occasionally to show they’re still active.

The practice is taking unofficial time off. (Morsa Images / Getty)

Some people made things a bit more sophisticated and even scheduled emails to send out outside of working hours to make it look like they were doing overtime.

Libby Rodney is chief strategy officer at The Harris Poll, and told CNBC:

“There’s a giant workaround culture at play.

“They will figure out how to get appropriate work-life balance, but it’s happening behind the scenes. It’s not exactly quiet quitting, but more like quiet vacationing.”

But why millennials specifically?

Rodney explained that while Gen Z tends to be more forthright about their position in the workplace, millennials are also getting what they want.

But the older millennials, who let’s not forget are now hitting their 40s and having children, have decided to take things more under the radar.

Have you ever taken a ‘quiet vacation’?

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Ryan McVay/Maskot

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