The Great Resignation & Quiet Quitting: What’s Happened to These Trends?

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the events of 2020, buzzwords like “The Great Resignation” and “Quiet Quitting” emerged as traditional workplaces transformed and the freelance economy expanded. 

Major tech players such as Meta, Twitter, Microsoft, Klarna, and Amazon experienced significant layoffs during this shift, while start-ups and scale-ups faced their own challenges. 

So, where do these trends stand today? 

In this article, we’ll explore the significance behind these terms, assess their impact on the freelance landscape, and evaluate their relevance in the current job market.

The Great Resignation, the New Normal and Quiet Quitting, what did these trends mean?

The great resignation

The term “The Great Resignation” was introduced following a wave of employee departures that swept through various industries in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 As many of us re-evaluated our career paths, many chose to leave their jobs in pursuit of better work-life balance, remote work opportunities, and fulfilment beyond traditional employment. 

This unprecedented trend was characterised by a significant increase in resignations as employees sought more meaningful careers.

Additionally, the rise of the freelance economy offered alternative pathways for many, leading to a shift in how we defined job security and career satisfaction. 

As we navigate the evolving job market, the implications of the Great Resignation continue to shape workplace dynamics and expectations.

Is the great resignation still relevant today? 

The Great Resignation may be over, but it continues to resonate in today’s workforce thanks to the inescapable impact it has had on the freelance landscape.

The rise of the Great Resignation resulted in an explosion of talented professionals capitalising on their skills and talents while enjoying the freedom to choose their projects and clients.

As a result, the demand for IT freelancers has surged, leading to greater opportunities across a host of specialities.

Overall, the Great Resignation has not only redefined employee expectations but has also solidified freelancing as a sustainable and respected career path in the modern job market.

Quiet quitting

The term “Quiet Quitting” has increasingly entered everyday conversation in recent years.

It’s a phenomenon where employees disengage from their work without formally resigning.

Quiet quitting manifests as employees doing the bare minimum required to meet their job responsibilities, leading to a noticeable lack of enthusiasm or commitment to their roles. It often stems from feelings of burnout, dissatisfaction with workplace culture, or a desire to achieve a better work-life balance.

Is quiet quitting still relevant today? 

A survey by Indeed forecasts that quiet quitting will continue to dominate workplace trends in 2024. 

This sustained culture of quiet quitting points to a deeper dissatisfaction with traditional job structures, pushing more workers to pursue self-employment where they can define their own workload and align clients and freelance projects with their skills and values. 

Today’s professionals increasingly value more autonomy and flexibility over the shackles of traditional employment, encouraging more of us to take control of our careers and explore freelance opportunities.

What do employees really want?

So, what do workers really want? The trends we’ve seen reflect an acceleration of desires that were emerging long before Covid, particularly among IT and tech pros. 

Today’s employees seek:

Work-life balance

Employees today prioritise their personal lives just as much as their careers. This shift manifests in demands for more flexible work hours, more paid holidays, extended parental leave, manageable workloads, and a culture that encourages open communication about struggles and challenges in the workplace.

A meaningful job

The pandemic has reshaped how we view our careers, leading many of us to seek deeper meaning in our work.

Today, professionals are not just looking for a salary; they want to be part of companies that make a positive impact on society. For some, a job becomes meaningful when it leverages their skills or fosters creativity, while for others, it’s about engaging in a field aligned with their passions and ensuring their contributions are valued. 

This quest for significance is driving workers to prioritise workplaces that reflect their values and enhance their sense of purpose.

Continuous learning opportunities

In  a study by Gallup, 57% of employees stated that they want to upgrade their skills, 71% said learning new skills increases their job satisfaction and 61% said they will stay at companies that invest in their training and development.

Flexible working conditions

In the pursuit of a healthier work-life balance, employees increasingly desire the freedom to choose their work environment, whether from home or abroad.

 Moreover, they want flexible work hours that allow them to tailor their schedules to fit their personal needs, bringing more harmony to professional and personal lives.

What the future of work looks like

The evolving workplace dynamics continue to create friction between employers and employees globally.

This shifting landscape is prompting many professionals to consider independent work, with the number of self-employed workers in the UK reaching approximately 4.3million as of 2024.

Growth is especially notable in sectors that embrace remote work, such as web design, tech, IT, and digital marketing.

As a result, umbrella companies and management solutions, like Hightekers, are gaining traction, offering substantial benefits to IT contractors and freelancers looking for support and structure as they navigate this new work paradigm.

Let’s look at some of the key benefits of partnering with a managing company like Hightekers:

Employee-style Benefits

Partnering with Hightekers means embracing the benefits of being an independent IT freelancer while keeping all the benefits of being an employee.

From healthcare to local contracts, we’ll take care of it while you focus on your clients and projects.

Boosted Earnings

We support you with contract negotiation, plus your account manager will help determine the right ADR (Average Daily Rate) for your clients, helping to maximise your earning potential as an independent IT consultant.

Admin Support and Payroll

From invoice chasing to payroll and compliance, we take time-consuming paperwork off your desk and make sure you get paid at the end of the month. This means you can stay focused on your projects and workload.

Professional Network

Join our community of over 1600 independent IT consultants. Share knowledge, and client/collaboration opportunities , plus stay up to date with IT and tech trends alongside a supportive network of peers.  

International Mobility

Hightekers is active in several European countries, enabling you to take on assignments across Europe while enjoying the perks of a local contract.

Say goodbye to the administrative headaches—Hightekers handles all the paperwork, so you can focus on your passion rather than managing a business. You have the freedom to choose your own projects and clients, putting you in complete control of your work environment and IT freelance career.

In summary, with the traditional work landscape continuing to evolve, It’s clear that IT and tech professionals will increasingly embrace independent work, and therefore seek out solutions like Hightekers to enhance their freelance careers.