Public Sector ‘Quiet Quitting’ Becomes an Epidemic as Staff Feel Limited Incentive to Go Above and Beyond

In considering the long-term effects of individuals becoming dissatisfied with their careers, it is evident that their lack of enthusiasm leads to decreased effort and a diminished commitment to adding value within their organizations.

According to Mr. Gifford, public sector employees are growing increasingly disenchanted due to heavy workloads and perceived low wages. A staggering 45% of public sector workers feel they are underpaid, while only 32% of those in the private sector share the same sentiment.

Mental health is also being affected, with over one-third of state employees reporting that their job has a negative impact on their well-being, compared to one-quarter of private sector workers.

In general, people now view work as nothing more than a transaction, which is a shift from pre-pandemic times. Prior to Covid, only 36% of individuals claimed to work solely for a paycheck. This number has risen to 43% in recent times.

Many jobs that were once fulfilling have lost their appeal and have become mundane since the onset of the pandemic.

Mr. Gifford attributes this decline in job satisfaction to remote work, which has left some employees feeling disconnected, as well as budget constraints resulting in reduced training for managers.

The CIPD’s findings coincide with Goldman Sachs’ warning that the demand for office space in London is plummeting due to the increase in remote work and the impact of high interest rates on developers.

Goldman Sachs analysts, led by Jonathan Kownator, state that London office capital values are heading towards a precarious situation as the market experiences levels of dealmaking not seen since the global financial crisis.

Currently, over 14% of office space in the capital is unoccupied, a significant increase from around 9% prior to the pandemic.