The Workplace Trend of 'Stealth Sackings'
In 2023, a new workplace phenomenon emerged that highlights the growing tension between employers and employees: "stealth sackings." This practice involves companies quietly reducing their workforce by targeting minor infractions, pressuring employees to leave, or reassigning them to roles designed to prompt their departure.
According to Joe Galvin, chief research officer at Vistage, this trend is not truly new but has gained significant attention through social media. It represents a subtle alternative to traditional mass layoffs, driven by two primary motivations:
1. Economic pressure to reduce costs quickly and discreetly
2. Avoiding the negative stigma associated with public layoffs
However, the consequences of "stealth sackings" can be severe for organizational health:
- Employees become fearful and distrustful of leadership
- Team cohesion dramatically declines
- Innovation and collaboration are stifled
- Overall workplace morale suffers
- The company's reputation can be damaged, particularly on professional platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor
The trend follows a series of workplace buzzwords that reflect employee frustration, including "quiet quitting," "rage quitting," and "rage applying." Experts predict that "revenge quitting" may become even more prevalent in 2025 as workplace tensions continue to escalate.
Galvin recommends that employers combat this trend by:
- Building trust through active listening
- Encouraging collaborative goal-setting
- Recognizing employee contributions
- Prioritizing transparency
- Investing in employee development and mental health resources
- Focusing on retention over turnover
The key message is clear: sustainable organizational success depends on creating a supportive, communicative workplace culture that values its employees.