First came quiet quitting, the subtle act of doing only what’s required at work without going above and beyond. It was seen as a boundary-setting mechanism, a way for employees to reclaim work-life balance in a culture that often glorifies burnout. But now, a new term is catching attention. Called ‘quiet cracking’, it is far more concerning.Unlike quiet quitting, which is an intentional choice, quiet cracking stems from emotional strain. It refers to employees who silently begin to unravel under toxic leadership, unmanageable expectations, or a lack of purpose at work. Toxic workplace cultures, poor leadership, stalled growth and burnout-adjacent symptoms are all contributing to a growing disengagement that companies can’t afford to ignore.But, how can you tell if you’re quietly cracking as opposed to just having a tough week at work? According to psychologist Rasshi Gurnani, “Unlike a bad week at work, quiet cracking isn’t just about being tired or overworked — it’s a slow emotional unravelling. You might start to feel like nothing you do matters, even if you’re meeting deadlines. There’s a creeping sense of emotional detachment, reduced motivation and a kind of internal burnout that builds quietly.” She adds that a key red flag people often miss is when you stop caring — not out of laziness, but because your emotional bandwidth is running dangerously low. “If you catch yourself constantly zoning out, avoiding conversations or feeling dread that doesn’t go away after rest, these are psychological signals of quiet cracking, not just a stressful phase,” Gurnani notes.Reversing the effects of quiet cracking without quitting your job“The good news is: this state is reversible, but it needs conscious psychological intervention — starting with self-awareness. You need to name what you’re feeling without guilt. The next step is setting micro-boundaries — maybe that means logging off on time, reducing hyper-responsibility or even having open conversations with your manager,” explains the psychologist. Cognitive reappraisal techniques (changing the way you interpret workplace stressors) can also help reframe situations, she says, adding that seeking therapy or career coaching isn’t overreacting — it’s preventive care. Often, simply being seen or heard by someone in your system can start to undo the effects.How can managers or workplaces actively prevent quiet cracking from setting in among their teams?“From a workplace perspective, quiet cracking happens most often in emotionally disconnected cultures — where psychological safety is low and output is valued more than wellbeing,” stresses Gurnani. Story continues below this adEspecially in hybrid or return-to-office setups, managers need to tune into subtler cues — a drop in engagement, reduced eye contact, slower response time or sudden silence in team meetings. The expert states, “Regular check-ins should go beyond tasks and ask, ‘How are you really doing?’ Leaders who model vulnerability and offer flexibility actually buffer their teams from mental fatigue. When people feel permission to speak up without judgement, quiet cracking has less room to grow.”📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd