Silence Resignation

Employees Quit Without Leaving

“Not all resignations are written in ink. Some walk in every day, smile just enough, and vanish in plain sight.”

What Is Silent Resignation?

It’s when someone stops caring but doesn’t leave. They’re physically present, emotionally checked out.

They don’t argue. They don’t contribute. They just coast.

They’re already gone in spirit.

Spot the Signs:

• Doing the bare minimum
• Avoiding responsibility
• No enthusiasm for wins
• No pushback, no ideas
• “Quiet quitting” energy — there, but not really

Why It Happens:

• Lack of recognition
• Micromanagement and poor leadership
• Burnout and fatigue
• No clear path to grow
• Feeling unheard or unseen

These are slow drips —not dramatic exits. People check out quietly after giving up on being valued.

What Leaders Can Do:

• Talk really talk. Not surface check-ins. Real conversations.
• Recognize effort, not just flashy results.
• Invite feedback and act on it.
• Give people purpose, not just tasks.
• Invest in well-being not just workload.

“By the time they quit out loud, they’ve already quit inside.”

You don’t need to be a chef to understand timing. Catch it too late, and the damage is already done.

My Take, From the Kitchen:

In the back of house, I’ve watched fire go out in good people. Not because they couldn’t do the job but because the job stopped seeing them.

Engaged teams don’t happen by accident. They happen through care, clarity, and connection.

If someone’s going silent that’s your cue.