Shift of Work Ethic Among Young Generation Amidst Economic Pressures and Social Expectations: a Conceptual Review of Quiet Quitting
Keywords:
quiet quitting, work ethic, generational shift, organizational loyalty, work life balanceAbstract
This study examines how young workers redefine the meaning of work, work life balance, and organizational loyalty amid economic pressures and social expectations through the quiet quitting phenomenon. Using a qualitative literature review method. This research synthesizes theoretical arguments from management, industrial psychology, and labor sociology. Findings indicate that young workers perceive work as an activity requiring intrinsic satisfaction rather than mere financial obligation. Work life balance is understood as flexible energy management with strict boundaries between professional and personal time. Loyalty shifts from long term organizational tenure to commitment toward shared values, peer relationships, and learning opportunities. Quiet quitting emerges as a rational coping mechanism against exploitation within an inequitable labor system. This theoretical construction offers an alternative framework for human resource management that respects young workers’ autonomy without sacrificing organizational productivity.
References
Abdullah, M. H. A. B., B. Gardi, & D. Darmawan. 2021. Innovation in Human Resource Management to enhance Organizational Competitiveness in the Era of Globalization, Journal of Social Science Studies, 1(1), 51 – 58.
Abouassi, K., Johnson, J. M., & Holt, S. B. 2019. Job Mobility Among Millennials: Do They Stay Or Do They Go?: Review Of Public Personnel Administration. 41(1), 1-48
Andrade, M. S., Westover, J., Clark, S., & Schill, A. 2024. Job Satisfaction And Generational Difference: The Shifting Nature Of The Workplace. American Journal Of Business, 24(3). 1
Arifin, S., & Putra, A. R. 2020. Employee Performance Development through Work Experience, Work Ethic, Compensation. Iosr Journal Of Business And Management (Iosr-Jbm), 22(7), 39-45.
Bergh, J. V. Den, & Wulf, K. D. 2017. Millennials At Work. Research World, 2017(63), 19–21
Bryce, A. 2021. What Makes A Job Meaningful And Why That Matters. The Conversation, 19.
Carrizo, N. A. 2025. The Challenge Of Motivating Generation Z’s Tech Talent. Digital Object Identifier. 1-8
Chiacchio, S. S. R., & Skarabone, A. R. C. 2024. Quiet Quitting: Uma Tendência No Pós-Pandemia Sars-Cov-2 Ou Um Grito Silencioso Do Trabalha(Dor)? Cadernos De Psicologia, 4(3), 01–12.
Darmawan, D. 2017. The Effects of The Big Five Personality on Job Performance, Management & Accounting Research Journal, 2(1), 36 – 42
Darmawan, D. 2024. Distribution of Six Major Factors Enhancing Organizational Effectiveness. Journal of Distribution Science, 22(4), 47-58.
Darmawan, D. 2025. Peran Recognition Program dan Leadership Style Terhadap Loyalitas Karyawan pada Industri Manufaktur di Surabaya. Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 15(2), 1-12.
Darmawan, D., R. Mardikaningsih, E. A. Sinambela, S. Arifin, A.R. Putra, M. Hariani, M. Irfan, Y.R. Al Hakim, & F. Issalillah. 2020. The Quality of Human Resources, Job Performance and Employee Loyalty, International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(3), 2580-2592.
Dudley, J. 2005. Research Methods. Boston: Pearson Education.
Eddine, B. A. S., D. Darmawan, R. Mardikaningsih, E. A. Sinambela. 2023. The Effect of Knowledge Management and Quality of Work Life on Employee Commitment, Journal of Human Sciences, 10(1), 87-100.
Fishman, E. K., Rowe, S. P., Smith, C. W., Fishman, E. K., Rowe, S. P., & Smith, C. W. 2025. The Role Of Leadership In Quiet Quitting. Journal Of The American College Of Radiology. 23(4), 485.
Gani, A. 2024. Leadership and Organizational Commitment: An Analysis of Mechanisms for Building Employee Loyalty and Delongingness. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 4(1), 439-464.
Gardi, B. & D. Darmawan. 2024. Uncertainty, Isolation, and the Erosion of Safety Nets: The Structural Impact of the Gig Economy on Worker Mental Health, Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 4(1), 119-140.
Hariani, M., & Irfan, M. 2022. The Influence of Leadership and Work Culture on Employee Work Loyalty. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 2(1), 39-48.
Hariani, M., & Mardikaningsih, R. 2016. Makna Penghargaan dalam Sistem Kompensasi dan Tunjangan Karyawan. Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 6(2), 42-56.
Hariani, M., Mardikaningsih, R., & Sinambela, E. A. 2014. Desain Kompensasi Strategis untuk Menyelaraskan Perilaku Kerja dengan Tujuan Organisasi. Jurnal Ekonomi dan Bisnis, 4(1), 51–62.
Kachhap, V., & Singh, T. 2024. Quiet Quitting: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Hidden Problems. Development And Learning In Organizations: An International Journal, 38(5), 23-26.
Khanna, A., Sareen, P., & Mba, H. 2020. Factors Affecting Career Choice Decisions Among Generation Y. Researchgate Official Portal.13.
Khlud, V., & Khlud, V. 2025. The Transformation Of Youth Values And Its Impact On The Nature Of Career Paths. 229–232.
Kumbla, P. K. 2020. From Commitment To Passion: Appraising The Energy Of Millennials: 13(4), 416–423.
Lancaster, G. 2007. Research Methods In Management. Routledge.
Marcelino-Aranda, M., Cuevas, M. Del C. M., & Camacho, A. D. 2024. Análisis Documental, Un Proceso De Apropiación Del Conocimiento. Revista Digital Universitaria, 25(6), 1-11.
Mardikaningsih, R. & Darmawan, D. 2022. Situational Leadership Strategies to Improve Change Management and Team Performance, Journal of Social Science Studies, 2(1), 247 – 252.
Mardikaningsih, R., & Darmawan, D. 2013. Desain kompensasi strategis untuk keberlanjutan organisasi. Jurnal Ekonomi dan Bisnis, 3(1), 55–66.
Margarida, P. 2020. Generation Y In The Workplace. Https://Doi.Org/10.13140/Rg.2.2.24612.42889
Mariappanadar, S. 2025. Some Gen Zs Are Taking A ‘Micro-Retirement’. It’s One Way To Address Burnout–But It Comes With Risks. The Conversation.
Masakure, O. 2016. The Effect Of Employee Loyalty On Wages. Journal Of Economic Psychology, 56, 274–298.
Ni, Y. 2023. The Loyalty Of New Generation Employees From The Perspective Of Psychological Contract. Frontiers In Business, Economics And Management, 12(2), 20-26.
Rajagopalan, U. 2025. Burnout In Younger Employees. British Journal Of Mental Health Nursing, 14(3), 1–2.
Rojak, J. A., & Darmawan, D. 2015. Strategi Kompensasi yang Kompetitif untuk Mendukung Retensi Karyawan. Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 5(1), 53-64.
Rojak, J. A., & Darmawan, D. 2021. Ethical Leadership and Social Responsibility in Organisational Managerial Practice. Studi Ilmu Sosial Indonesia, 1(2), 187-204.
Saktiawan, P., Hardyansah, R., Darmawan, D., & Putra, A. R. 2021. Ethical Principles in Indonesian Legal Advocacy: Sustaining Justice in Adversarial Systems Through Professional Integrity. Journal of Social Science Studies, 1(2), 239-244.
Scheurich, J. 2014. Research Method In The Postmodern. Routledge.
Schröder, M. 2024. Work Motivation Is Not Generational But Depends On Age And Period. Journal Of Business And Psychology, 39(4), 897-908.
Senaratne, C., & Tennakoon, N. 2019. Balancing Work And Life: Insights From Generation Y. Ocak, 30,
Spiller, M., & Schmahmann, L. 2018. Economic Competitiveness And Productivity. 143–158.
Spohn, D. 2024. Financial Resilience And Innovation Among Generation Z In The Face Of Economic Adversity. 1(3), 39–51.
Trifan, V. A., & Pantea, M. F. 2024. Shifting Priorities And Expectations In The New World Of Work. Insights From Millennials And Generation Z. Journal Of Business Economics And Management, 25(5), 1075–1096.
Victor, C. 2017. Youth Identity Crisis And The Internal Conflict With The Divine And Self. Youth, Health And Practical Justice Conference 1-10
Yang, W. 2024. From Precarity To Stability: Job Preferences Among Chinese Youth In Today’s China.Thesis. Master Of Arts Program In The Social Sciences, University Of Chicago.
Zarwi, M., Marchand, S., Kennard, B., & Michael, J. 2023. Millennials And Organisational Commitment: Current And Future Perspectives. Human Resource Development International, 26(5), 642-654.
