No Comment - Quiet Quitting in Finland | Syno

Work-life balance, job satisfaction, and employee engagement have long been debated topics, but in recent years, a new term has emerged: quiet quitting. Rather than outright resignation, quiet quitting represents employees disengaging from their jobs, doing only what is required and no more. While some view it as a response to poor working conditions, others see it as a shift towards healthier work boundaries. But how common is quiet quitting in Finland, and what drives people to adopt this approach?

According to our survey, around 50% of Finns have heard of quiet quitting, and 28% have engaged in it at least once. Younger Finns are the most likely to quiet quit, with 37% of those aged 18-24 reporting they have done so. Gender differences are minimal overall, but younger males stand out - 50% of Finnish men aged 18-24 have quiet quit at least once, compared to 26% of women in the same age group. Among women, the likelihood of quiet quitting is highest between ages 25-54.

The primary reason for quiet quitting is dissatisfaction with pay, cited by 49% of Finns. Other common reasons include overall dissatisfaction with work (43%) and a general lack of enthusiasm (42%). Work-life balance is also a key factor, particularly for older women - 53% of women aged 45-74 say poor balance contributed to their decision to quiet quit. Meanwhile, men in this age group are more likely to attribute their disengagement to a lack of appreciation and enthusiasm.

Management plays a critical role in the quiet quitting phenomenon. A majority of Finns (56%) recognize it as a consequence of poor management, with men and women in the 35-44 age group being the most likely to agree. However, there is less agreement that quiet quitting represents a cultural shift toward better work boundaries.

Finns remain divided on whether quiet quitting is a good approach. While 33% view it as a temporary but effective way to handle workplace issues, 29% consider it a bad, though not harmful, solution. Women, as well as younger employees, are more likely to see quiet quitting in a positive light.

Syno International conducted the survey through its Answers Omnibus from November 14th through November 20th, 2024. The data was collected through online panels with a National representative sampling of people aged 18 to 80, gender, and regions of Finland.

No Comment is an initiative from Syno to share data from consumers' views on relevant topics. Do you have any questions you would like to ask? Do not hesitate to reach out to us at Syno!