It seems like every week there is a new trending workplace buzzword taking the internet by storm. The current hiring environment, return to office (RTO) mandates, and the rejection of hustle culture have allowed these phrases to gain in popularity. From “hushed hybrid” to “bare-minimum Monday,” here are eight trending workplace buzzwords you need to know.
Hushed hybrid
Employees demand flexibility and most managers realize that. “Hushed hybrid” is a term that describes a work arrangement where employees quietly choose to work in a hybrid model—splitting their time between the office and remote work—without making it a formal or well-publicized arrangement. Employees who engage in a hushed hybrid setup might discreetly work from home on certain days, perhaps with the understanding of their direct supervisor but not necessarily with official company-wide approval. This allows them to enjoy the flexibility of a hybrid work environment without drawing attention to it or risking pushback from upper management.
Quiet vacationing
Do you have a co-worker who said they’re OOO but they’re still answering their messages? They’re probably “quiet vacationing.” Quiet vacationing is a practice where employees take time off work or go on vacation without explicitly announcing it or making a big deal out of it to their colleagues or superiors. Instead of setting formal out-of-office notifications or widely broadcasting their absence, they might keep it low-key, handling only the most critical tasks remotely or staying somewhat connected to work through emails and messages.
Coffee badging
As more companies are RTO, employees are rebelling by doing the bare minimum to meet the requirement—that is badging and turning right around and going home. “Coffee badging” describes this phenomenon, where employees come into the office not to work, but to be seen, in response to employer efforts to get workers back into the office. This often involves badging in, grabbing a coffee, mingling with a few key fellow employees and returning home to do their work.
Bare-minimum Monday
Is there any worse feeling than a 9 a.m. meeting on a Monday morning? To combat that, employees have started “bare-minimum Mondays” to ease themselves back into the workweek. When people do as little as possible on the first day of the week to ease themselves into the week. This often means only doing the most essential tasks.
Rage applying
The grass is always greener on the other side...or is it? When employees start to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or overlooked in their roles, they might do what is called “rage applying.” Rage applying often happens after a negative experience at work, such as being passed over for a promotion, dealing with a difficult boss, or facing unfair treatment. The idea is to apply to as many jobs as possible in the heat of the moment, hoping to find a better opportunity elsewhere.
Career cushioning
Feel a layoff looming, stalled career progression, or economic uncertainty that could impact your job? You might benefit from some “career cushioning.” Career cushioning is a strategy where employees start preparing for potential job loss or career changes by quietly exploring other opportunities while still employed. This might involve updating their resume, expanding their professional network, learning new skills, or even applying for jobs, all as a precautionary measure. The idea is to have a "cushion" to fall back on if your current job situation deteriorates, allowing you to stay proactive and ready for any unexpected changes in the job market.
Lazy girl job
Want a job that causes minimal stress but still pays well? You might be on the hunt for a “lazy girl job.” Lazy girl job describes a type of work that is low-stress, often remote or flexible, and typically doesn't require long hours or intense effort. These jobs allow workers to do the bare minimum while still meeting job expectations. As a result, they allow for a more balanced lifestyle, with time for personal interests, self-care, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Quiet firing
Feel like you’re getting pushed out the door? Sadly, your company might be trying to “quiet fire” you. Quiet firing is a practice where employers subtly push employees out of a job without formally firing them. This can be done by reducing their responsibilities, excluding them from important projects, providing little to no feedback or support, putting the employee on an unnecessary performance improvement plan (PIP), or deliberately making the work environment uncomfortable. The goal is often to make the employee feel undervalued or frustrated enough to quit on their own.
As employees continue to navigate the modern workplace, we’re sure to see more trends pop up. Understanding these trends can help employers better understand employee needs and feelings toward work and create better benefits and workplace for them to thrive in.
Published on Aug 15, 2024 by Sam Lieberman
