(Nexstar) – Every morning, you get up, head to work, and tackle your tasks, trying to make the best of your skills. But what if you’ve been experiencing a subtle discomfort, what some are calling a “quiet crack”? Maybe you’ve felt that way for longer than you realize.
So, what exactly is this “quiet crack”? It’s a term that’s gaining traction to describe a feeling of unfulfillment at work. Often linked to issues like job satisfaction, workload, or potential for advancement, it stands out because, unlike “quiet quitting,” it doesn’t necessarily affect performance—just employee morale.
Wayne Hochwalter, a senior professor at Florida State University, notes that individuals often find themselves reflecting on their jobs after a few years. Questions arise like, “Am I really enjoying this? Is this the path I want to take?”
Widespread Feelings Across All Levels
This isn’t a concern limited to newcomers. Recently conducted surveys by TalentLMS found that more than half of respondents reported experiencing “quiet cracks,” with around 20% feeling this way on a continual basis.
A similar 2025 Gallup report echoed these findings, revealing that 52% of North American employees felt “not engaged” in their work, while 17% claimed to be “actively disengaged.” The pandemic seems to have played a significant role in these changes rather than simply reflecting the views of a younger workforce.
Hochwalter emphasizes that this issue isn’t restricted by job level—it’s quite prevalent across various positions.
Underlying Causes
A lot of participants in the TalentLMS survey cited feelings of insecurity at work, whether due to anxiety about layoffs, limited opportunities for advancement, or the threat of being replaced by AI. Their current roles may seem stable, but doubts about the future can erode their confidence.
“The major driving factor behind this phenomenon is the feeling of having little control,” according to Hochwalter. “It often clashes with management, which tends to mishandle these sensitive issues, leading to a perfect storm of disengagement.”
In conversations with healthcare professionals, Hochwalter found that many nurses feel as if they’re more bogged down by administrative tasks and software training than by patient care. He imagines educators feeling similarly constrained, particularly those focused on teaching to standardized tests.
Care-oriented roles can really contribute to what experts term “compassion fatigue.” After dealing with the demands of others, employees can feel depleted.
“You’re simply worn down by the constant need to handle other people’s issues,” Hochwalter states. “Even brief interactions can lead to exhaustion when your job centers around others.”
Shifting Perspectives
There’s a sense that the current workforce is feeling more “uneasy” than in previous decades, possibly due to concerns about AI and the relentless flood of mixed messages from the media.
So, when Monday rolls around, many are just trying to get back into the groove.
Possible Solutions?
To address this trend, Gallup advises companies to implement better training and coaching for managers. But even Gallup acknowledges that many managers themselves experience disengagement.
On the flip side, employees might need to take the initiative. This could involve carving out time for self-care or possibly transitioning to different departments—or even seeking new job opportunities, according to Hochwalter.
“Focusing on our physical and mental well-being is crucial. We need to seek ways to recharge and find joy in something—this may require changing our environment.”
