When it comes to leaving your job, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it…
In 2025, some UK workers are leaving their jobs in two less conventional ways. But what’s really behind the trend of ‘quiet quitting’ and ‘revenge quitting’, and could one of them be your next move?
Here’s what they mean, and what pushes people to quiet quit or revenge quit:
What is quiet quitting?
According to our recent survey*, 40% of workers said they’d be more likely to quiet quit than revenge quit. But what does quiet quitting actually mean?
It’s not actually quitting your job (in the conventional sense). Instead, it refers to mentally checking out from your role, and only doing the bare minimum – like clocking in, completing your core tasks, and logging off.
Basically, you’re still employed, but you’re not invested.
Why do people quiet quit?
People may quietly quit when:
- They feel burnt out
- Their efforts go unrecognised
- There’s no clear path for progression
- The company culture doesn’t align with their values
Instead of handing in their notice and facing a tough job market, they withdraw their enthusiasm – and do just enough work to keep getting paid.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a good approach. Staying too long in a role that makes you unhappy is not just detrimental to your career progression, it can also impact your mental health.
What is revenge quitting?
Revenge quitting is when someone abruptly leaves their job in response to being treated poorly – often with the aim of getting back at their employer.
Think dramatic exit emails criticising their line manager, last-minute resignations, or walking out mid-shift.
And as extreme as it may sound, it’s more popular than you may think – with 43% of the people we surveyed saying they had either revenge quit in the past, or would consider it if pushed.
According to our research, younger workers are more likely to revenge quit, with 26% of 18–34s and 22% of 35–44s admitting they’ve done it – compared to just 8% of those aged 45–54.
Why do people ‘revenge quit’?
If you’re thinking ‘toxic manager’, you’d be on the right lines – with 37% of our survey respondents saying that a bad boss would be most likely to push them to ‘revenge quit’.
This was followed by:
- Poor company culture (27%)
- Low salaries (26%)
- The company going ‘under’ (administration or very poor financial performance) (18%)
- Not getting along with their colleagues (18%)
- No foreseeable pay increase (17%)
- Few opportunities to progress in the company (15%)
- Lack of training within the company to upskill (14%)
- Being forced to work from the office more than they’d like (13%)
Revenge quitting can feel empowering in the moment, but it also comes with the risk of burning bridges and ruining your references.
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Thinking about quitting?
Whether you’re ‘team quiet quit’, ‘team revenge quit’, or ‘team use the proper channels to quit professionally’, it means one key thing – your job isn’t working for you anymore.
So instead of staying stuck in a role that’s making you unhappy, take this as your sign to move forward.
This could mean finding a new opportunity (we know a place), retraining to boost your skills (we know another place) to land a better role, or even taking a career break or working freelance.
Remember: You don’t have to stay in a job you hate. But there is a right and a wrong way to say goodbye. Find the path that’s right for you today.
Eight signs it’s time to resign
Ready for a fresh start? Find a job you’ll love today, or upskill with a course.
*Source: Survey commissioned by Reed.co.uk consisting of 2,000 UK adults between 11th March – 18th March 2025.
