‘Quiet cracking’ is spreading in offices: Half of workers are at breaking point, and it’s costing companies $438 billion in productivity loss

Before joining the Success desk, she co-authored Fortune’s CHRO Daily , extensively covering the workplace and the future of jobs

Emma has also written for publications including the Observer and The China ject, publishing long-form stories on culture, entertainment, and geo

She has a joint-master’s degree from New York University in Global Journalism and East Asian Studies.SEE FULL BIOBy Orianna Rosa RoyleAssociate Editor, SuccessOrianna Rosa RoyleAssociate Editor, SuccessOrianna Rosa Royle is the Success associate editor at Fortune, overseeing careers, leadership, and company culture coverage

She was previously the senior reporter at Management Today, Britain's longest-running publication for CEOs

SEE FULL BIO Thanks to AI and disappearing career growth, staffers are silently but massively disengaging with their employers—welcome to “quiet cracking.”Oleg Breslavtsev—Getty Images“Quiet cracking” is the new workplace phenomenon sweeping offices

As AI looms over jobs and motions stall, workers’ mental health is quietly fraying

But not all hope is lost

A career expert tells Fortune there are ways for managers and employees to course-correct

Workers are down in the dumps a lack of career growth opportunities and emptying offices as companies slash staffers to make way for AI, all while being put under constant pressure to do more with less

Scared of speaking out and putting their neck on the line in a dire job climate, staff are silently but massively disengaging with their employers: Welcome to “quiet cracking.” The workplace phenomenon sees staff showing up and doing their job but mentally and emotionally struggling. 54% of employees report feeling unhappy at work, with the frequency ranging from occasionally to constantly, according to a 2025 report from TalentLMS. “The telltale signs of quiet cracking are very similar to burnout

You may notice yourself lacking motivation and enthusiasm for your work, and you may be feeling useless, or even angry and irritable,” Martin Poduška, editor in chief and career writer for Kickresume, tells Fortune. “These are all common indicators of quiet cracking, and they gradually get worse over time.” Un “quiet quitting,” this decline in ductivity from workers isn’t intentional

Instead, it’s caused by feeling worn down and unappreciated by their employers

And oftentimes, as with burnout, they don’t even register it creeping up on them until it’s too late

But feeling unable to quit in test because of the current job market, it’s left them ultimately stuck and unhappy in their roles

Unfortunately, managers are slow to catch on A fleet of unhappy workers may sound easy to spot, but the blem is sneaking up on workplaces without much course correction

Last year, the portion of engaged employees globally dropped from 23% to 21%—a similar dip in enthusiasm seen during the COVID-19 lockdown—costing the world economy $438 billion in lost ductivity, according to a 2025 report from Gallup

Quiet cracking isn’t only creating a bad culture for employees to work in, but the trend is also hitting es hard

It’s imperative that bosses seize the moment to develop an engagement strategy before the blem festers into a ticking time bomb

And employees can also make adjustments to better advocate for their own career happiness. “It isn’t obvious when quiet cracking happens,” Poduška explains. “You may be starting to quietly crack right now, but you wouldn’t know as this type of burnout takes some time for others, and even you, to notice.” How employers can fight ‘quiet cracking’ before it’s too late The current state of the workplace may sound bleak, but not all hope is lost

A career expert tells Fortune there are ways to spot fissures in company culture before employees are fully down in the dumps, and managers need to stand on guard. “If you’ve noticed an employee becoming more and more disengaged with their work, it may be best to schedule a time where you can discuss how they feel,” Poduška says. “Setting them new tasks, viding new learning opportunities, and simply having an honest conversation could steer things back in the right direction.” A good boss can make or break company culture

Among employees who experience quiet cracking, 47% say their managers do not listen to their concerns, according to the TalentLMS study

But by simply sparking a conversation on the issue, supervisors can get staffers back on track to be happy at work

Alongside having an honest conversation, managers should also show interest in the development of their direct reports

Training isn’t just skill-building; it’s an antidote to disengagement

A catalyst for connection.” How workers can combat their own disengagement Managers aren’t the only ones with power in fighting workplace disengagement; employees also have the power to combat their own unhappiness. “How can quiet cracking be avoided? For staff, finding out the root cause of your unhappiness might be the key to stop quiet cracking in its tracks,” Poduška explains. “If you feel there are no opportunities for gression with your role, you may find it worthwhile to talk to your manager a development plan

This can give you something to work toward, which may help combat boredom and spark your motivation.” However, not every company is going to be invested in their workers, even if they voice the need for it

In that case, Poduška advises that staffers take a hard look at the they work for

He recommends that employees question if their jobs feel sustainable and if they feel adequately supported by their teams

If not, a new employer—or even career—could be the answer. “Another way to stop quiet cracking is to change things up

You could ask yourself if the role you’re currently in is right for you,” Poduška says. “A total career pivot may be the answer to quiet cracking in some cases, or for others, a switch into another department might be the best solution

Explore this year's list.