General
quiet cracking
What does quiet cracking mean?
A persistent, low-grade sense of unhappiness and disengagement at work that gradually erodes performance and wellbeing, often unnoticed by managers until it worsens.
"Nobody flagged it, but months of quiet cracking left half the team quietly checked out."
Origin
Coined in workplace-wellbeing research and coverage around 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is quiet cracking?
It's a slow, low-grade build-up of unhappiness and disengagement at work that quietly erodes performance and wellbeing, often before managers notice.
How is quiet cracking different from burnout?
It's a gradual, less visible precursor and cousin to burnout, marked by persistent quiet dissatisfaction rather than a dramatic collapse.
Where does the term come from?
It was coined in workplace-wellbeing research and coverage around 2025.
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