Posted by “Quiet quitting” is where employees commit to doing just the minimum required when fulfilling their job duties.
In other words, arriving at work just on time and not staying after hours at the office. This phrase first came up in 2022 when employees claimed to be feeling as if their contributions didn’t matter and the absence of job satisfaction within themselves.
What is “quiet hiring”?
“Quiet hiring” is when a company either works with contract workers such as freelancers or asks current employees to do other jobs outside of their exclusive role. From an HR perspective, this decision makes sense as high-performing employees are up to 400% more productive compared to their counterparts.
Therefore, it is a logical move to have this productivity benefit other areas of the company that need it more.
To date, Google is the most well-known company to be quietly hiring their employees. They use this method to get the smartest people into the role while also maintaining the best employees.
At first glance, it may seem that quiet hiring is like free labour as you get more responsibilities with no reward. However, there are potential benefits when you use quiet hiring.
Benefits of Quiet Hiring
1. Access to Passive Candidates
Many talented and experienced professionals are already employed and are not actively searching for new jobs. Therefore, quiet hiring allows companies to tap into this group of passive candidates with immense talent who might be open to better opportunities if it was presented to them.
Related link: Quiet Quitting: Good or Bad?
2. Reduced Competition
The competition for this role is limited because it was not widely advertised. This can give the employer an advantage in attracting qualified candidates without going through a large number of applications.
3. Higher Quality Candidates
By seeking out potential employees proactively, the company can focus on those with specific skills and experiences that match the requirements of the role. This approach would often result in more qualified and suitable candidates.
4. Confidentiality
There are cases where companies may need to replace an employee quietly without disrupting the work environment or causing panic among the other members of the team. Quiet hiring allows them to maintain confidentiality until they are ready to announce the new hire.
5. Time & Cost Efficiency
Quiet hiring can save time and resources spent on traditional recruitment methods, especially for roles or positions where finding qualified candidates can be challenging or for executive-level roles that need a specialised search into the job market.
6. Networking Opportunities
Engaging in quiet hiring practices allows companies to build relationships with potential candidates and industry professionals which will then lead to a broader and more robust network.
7. Enhanced Employer Brand
A successful quiet hiring can improve a company’s reputation in the job market. This is because it signals that they are proactive, forward-thinking and willing to invest in qualified talent.
However, it is essential to know that quiet hiring should never fully replace traditional hiring practices entirely. Job posting and open applications are still valuable for attracting a diverse group of candidates and to promote transparency in the hiring process.