Is 'quiet cracking' the new career crisis no one talks about?
A new workplace phenomenon dubbed “quiet cracking” is drawing attention as more employees — from fresh graduates to seasoned professionals — report feeling unfulfilled, disengaged, or emotionally drained despite meeting expectations on the job.
Unlike “quiet quitting,” which typically manifests in reduced performance or withdrawal from extra tasks, quiet cracking is more internal — an emotional disconnect that doesn’t necessarily impact output, but deeply affects morale.
According to Wayne Hochwarter, a senior professor at Florida State University and a research professor at United Arab Emirates University, the phenomenon often begins a few years into a career when employees start questioning their professional trajectory.
“Young professionals begin with so much enthusiasm, but eventually ask themselves, ‘Am I really enjoying this?’” Hochwarter said in an interview.
Recent research suggests this sentiment is widespread. A 2025 TalentLMS survey found that over 50% of respondents were quietly cracking, with about 20% experiencing it constantly.
Similarly, Gallup reported that 52% of North American workers are “not engaged,” and 17% are “actively disengaged” — a disengagement trend accelerated by post-pandemic instability.
Experts cite a lack of job security, weak leadership, the rise of AI, and compassion fatigue — especially in professions like healthcare, education, and customer service — as key drivers. Workers feel stripped of autonomy and purpose, Hochwarter noted, as routine bureaucratic tasks and performance metrics replace meaningful interaction.
Fixing the issue, researchers argue, will require more than management training. Employees may need to reevaluate their roles, recharge emotionally, and sometimes seek new environments altogether.
“It’s about regaining a sense of control and excitement,” Hochwarter said. “Sometimes that means stepping back or stepping out to protect your mental and emotional health.”
