Quiet Quitting During a Divorce

The stress of going through a divorce can be all consuming. From deciding where to live, how assets will be divided and various parenting decisions, it can take a toll on both your mental health and your finances. To ease the strain of juggling a heavy workload on top of going through a divorce, it's no wonder more and more recently separated couples are considering quiet quitting. But is this really a good idea? Keep reading to learn more.

What Does It Mean to Quietly Quit During a Divorce?

Quiet quitting is essentially doing the bare minimum at your job after a prolonged period of managing an intense workload and experiencing burnout. For many employees who are navigating a divorce, trying to keep up with a demanding day job and coping with the stress of separating can be overwhelming. Choosing to quietly quit in your current role and looking for a new employer that offers more opportunities for work life balance may seem like a more attractive alternative to formally resigning your position.

Quiet quitting The Pros:

Quietly going through the motions of your workday and doing the bare minimum as you face new asks from your boss gives you the chance to earn an income and pay the bills while looking for alternative work. There are many reasons this may sound ideal as you work on healing from your divorce.

First, quiet quitting may be all you feel capable of during this sensitive time, and that's okay. The thought of putting yourself out there and selling yourself to a new employer might feel daunting as you deal with so much other change. A slow transition might be exactly what you need.

Additionally, as you work through your divorce, you are likely considering what assets you will be keeping from the marriage. Financial changes are common during a divorce and, therefore, a steady pay cheque during your split will ease your stress and make it easier to sleep at night.

Quiet Quitting The Cons:

While quiet quitting can certainly be tempting, there are drawbacks. It is one thing to do the bare minimum assuming no one is noticing, but that isn't always the case. You could be putting your job security at risk before you have secured a new role that offers you the fulfillment and balance you are seeking. At a time where finances may be tight, this could be risky and result in a less than amicable departure from your job adding even more stress to your life.

The price of doing the bare minimum might also be holding you back from getting the glowing references you might need. Consider that some employers may want a reference from your old boss before making you a formal offer which ultimately could keep you in a holding pattern at the job you are trying to flee.

Instead Of Quiet Quitting Do This:

As previously mentioned, quiet quitting may be tempting, especially while dealing with a divorce. But there are other alternatives you might consider to help you in your next career move.

Start by enhancing your resume so that it includes your latest accomplishments. Then find yourself a recruiter in your field to help you look for the next opportunity offering the work life balance you need as you finalize your divorce. While this may not initially sound as easy on your mental health as quiet quitting, this method won't create risks toward your job security which would surely add more stress into your life.

Part of what makes quiet quitting so attractive is the consistent pay cheque while slowly transitioning out of your job. Instead, consider shoring up your three to six months of emergency savings. As financial volatility can be part of the divorce process, being prudent with your budget will help you feel more secure and less inclined to resort to quiet quitting. Feeling comfortable in the cash department can change your mindset and help you become more intentional when seeking a new opportunity in your chosen field.