Quiet quitting, a new philosophy on work, has recently taken over the internet. Society has decided that they are no longer willing to work as hard as they have in the past. Teens’ work ethic is constantly being questioned by teachers, parents, managers, etc. But, is there justification for the way some adolescents perform in a work environment?

Quiet quitting can often be confused with laziness. Many people complain that teenagers, in particular, are no longer willing to put in extra effort. In the past, people worked as hard as possible, hoping that putting in extra work would lead to higher pay. But now, people are working for what they are currently paid. If employers want better work from their employees, they should match the increased work ethic with higher wages.

Eva Cuevas, 10, says, “I don’t think quiet quitting is lazy. I think people are trying to do a good job without draining themselves.”

Currently, in the state of Iowa, the minimum wage is $7.25. It’s difficult to encourage poorly paid employees to work harder. Some would argue that although few people are paid the minimum wage, those individuals are not receiving payment equal to the extent of their services and ultimately aren’t making a livable wage.

People have begun doing the work they are paid to do. When employees already work harder than what they’re paid, their employers are discouraged from raising their wages.

Additionally, over-working, especially in highschool, often leads to burnout. It’s common for minimum wage employees to be worked to the bone, despite their inadequate financial reimbursement.

In the last few years, likely triggered by the COVID-19 lockdown, more people have been resigning from their jobs than ever before (Appfolio). Working from home for so long has caused people to change their views and opinions on work. Lots of people are more relaxed about their careers and work efforts, and they prefer at-home work instead of on-site work. Many believe quiet quitting has become popular because people are no longer living to work, instead they are working to live the life they want.