Archive · 28 Jun 2025
Quiet Cracking: A Growing Workplace Issue
Imagine feeling worn out at work, but you're still doing your job.
That's called "quiet cracking."
It's like being stuck in a rut, not completely burned out or secretly quitting, but feeling unhappy and drained.
Many people experience it, feeling unappreciated or blocked at work.
To fix it, companies should listen to employees, offer chances to grow, say thank you, care about mental health, and let people work more freely.
"Quiet cracking" is a workplace trend where employees feel emotionally drained and unmotivated while still fulfilling their job duties.
The term was introduced by TalentLMS, a learning platform.
Unlike burnout or quiet quitting, quiet cracking is harder to detect as employees continue to meet deadlines.
A TalentLMS survey revealed that over half (54%) of U.S. employees have experienced signs of quiet cracking.
Employers can address quiet cracking by listening, supporting career growth, showing appreciation, prioritizing mental health, and giving employees freedom.
- Who
- Employees are experiencing quiet cracking.
- What
- Quiet cracking is a workplace phenomenon where employees feel emotionally drained and unmotivated while still performing their job duties.
- When
- The trend is current.
- Where
- In workplaces, as indicated by a survey of US employees.
- Why
- Employees feel undervalued and blocked from growth or promotions.
Employers
Employees
Employee Support
Employers
They should listen and communicate, offer support, provide training, and show appreciation to help employees.
Employees
The impact of these actions is reduced by employees feeling undervalued and unappreciated.
- Term Origin
- TalentLMS
- Percentage Experiencing Quiet Cracking
- 54% of U.S. employees
- Characterization
- Emotional drain, loss of motivation
- Contrast
- Not burnout or quiet quitting