As social media generations continue to bolster the workforce, trends such as ‘Quiet Quitting’ are climbing the TikTok ranks, receiving over 1.7 billion hashtag views this year alone. Employers are finding that TikTok is significantly shaping employees’ views about workplace behaviours and not necessarily for the better.
Whilst companies search for a way to combat these negative trends, leading office furniture suppliers Furniture at Work teamed up with esteemed HR expert, Oleg Segal, to investigate the most popular TikTok workplace trends and the potential repercussions on the workforce.
The top five workplace trends taking TikTok by storm are:
1. #QuitTok – 82 million hashtag views
The QuitTok trend involves an employee filming themselves quitting their current jobs – usually on the phone or in a video call – and posting the videos on TikTok. The Google search term ‘QuitTok’ surged in global popularity this year, receiving its highest number of searches ever throughout May – increasing by 45% overall.
“This is the most alarming and detrimental trend for an employee to partake in,” Oleg says. ”Publicly broadcasting your resignation not only burns bridges with current employers but can also tarnish your professional reputation long-term. Potential future employers may see this behaviour as a glaring red flag.”
2. Act Your Wage – 665 million hashtag views
Those participating in the Act Your Wage trend will fulfil the bare minimum requirements of their job without working any extra hours or taking on any further responsibilities, simply because they’re not paid to do so.
Oleg explains: “Ethically, this could encourage a demoralising work environment if it’s interpreted as an excuse for lacklustre performance, which can undermine both team morale and individual engagement.”
To combat this behaviour, employers should focus on creating a positive workplace culture where workers feel recognised and appreciated for their efforts. This could include written praise, employee awards, monetary rewards, and progression based on productivity.
3. Bare Minimum Mondays – 2.6 million hashtag views
This trend encourages employees to do as little as possible on a Monday while still meeting their minimum responsibilities or requirements of their role.
Oleg explains: “If leaders can address sources of employee dissatisfaction early on, trends like ‘Bare Minimum Mondays’ can be mitigated. By creating an open forum for feedback, providing opportunities for growth, and ensuring employees feel valued for their contributions, employers can foster a more motivated workforce and environment.”
4. Rage Applying – 19.7 million hashtag views
Rage Applying refers to when disgruntled employees send a high number of applications to different jobs after a negative experience at their current job. Rage Applying as a search term peaked in global popularity in January 2023; however, the trend resurfaced recently with a search increase of 72%.
Oleg said: “While it’s often a knee-jerk reaction to a negative experience, it highlights a desire for change and can be a positive milestone. If approached thoughtfully, moments of frustration could lead to constructive career evaluations and strategic job searches.”
5. Job Shift Shock – 1.7 billion hashtag views
Job Shift Shock refers to an instant state of disappointment or underwhelm an employee may feel when experiencing significant changes at work, for example, if the person has moved roles, teams, or companies. Reports have shown that 48% of employees would try to get their old job back if they felt job shift shock at a new job. A further 29% said negative feelings associated with shift shock have encompassed and spanned both the job and the company.
To avoid Job Shift Shock, employees need to think ahead when looking for a new position. During the interview process, it’s beneficial to openly communicate your expectations of the role – specifically asking questions about the salary, company culture and job expectations, to ensure it’s the right fit for you.
As the more social media-savvy generations continue to enter the workforce, it can be expected that there will be more transparency around the trends that crop up. However, workers should be mindful of the potential impact of participation.
“These trends can signal underlying morale issues, leading to decreased satisfaction and productivity. It’s important to address root causes by ensuring fair compensation, recognising and rewarding good work, and fostering a culture where everyone feels they can contribute meaningfully.
“By investing in a supportive and empowering work environment, we can mitigate the allure of these trends and elevate the overall employee experience.”
To learn more about the importance of employee wellbeing in the workplace, head to the Furniture At Work blog.
