odanny
Diamond Member
So this and "coffee badging" are two new millenial job descriptions I've never heard of until today, lets look at Resenteeism.
With workplace trends like quiet quitting and coffee badging rising, another challenge has emerged: resenteeism. This term describes employees who feel trapped in their jobs, unhappy and resentful, without seeing any better alternatives. Recognizing the early signs of resenteeism and knowing how to address them is key to re-engaging affected employees and improving retention across the board.
Resenteeism refers to employees who feel disgruntled or frustrated with their jobs, managers, or employers. They may feel underappreciated, unfairly treated, or disappointed about their work situation. However, they don’t believe they can easily quit and find a better job, so they stay put while disengaging mentally and emotionally.
Several factors have contributed to the rise of resenteeism. Concerns about a tight labor market and economic uncertainty have made employees reluctant to leave their jobs, even if they are unhappy.
Additionally, widespread layoffs across industries have eroded trust between employers and employees, weakening company loyalty. Many workers also feel frustrated with employers who did not continue the flexibility and work-life balance that became common during the pandemic.
Quiet quitters tend to silently withdraw effort and stop going above and beyond, sticking to the minimum in their job descriptions. In contrast, resentful employees may be more vocal about their discontent. They often actively dislike their jobs and can negatively impact company culture rather than simply being passively disengaged.
Examples of resenteeism include:
It can often reflect workers prioritizing their well-being and wanting more autonomy over how, when, and where they work. When employers aren’t keeping up with these changing needs and attitudes, resentment grows.
It’s important to recognize that the problem isn’t the resentment itself. Resentment is a natural human response when employees feel their needs aren’t being met, their opinions aren’t valued, or their contributions aren’t recognized.
The real issue is the deeper disengagement driving the behavior. The solution lies in understanding and addressing the root causes.
wizehire.com
With workplace trends like quiet quitting and coffee badging rising, another challenge has emerged: resenteeism. This term describes employees who feel trapped in their jobs, unhappy and resentful, without seeing any better alternatives. Recognizing the early signs of resenteeism and knowing how to address them is key to re-engaging affected employees and improving retention across the board.
What is Resenteeism? Understanding Frustrated Employees in Today’s Workplace
Resenteeism refers to employees who feel disgruntled or frustrated with their jobs, managers, or employers. They may feel underappreciated, unfairly treated, or disappointed about their work situation. However, they don’t believe they can easily quit and find a better job, so they stay put while disengaging mentally and emotionally.
Several factors have contributed to the rise of resenteeism. Concerns about a tight labor market and economic uncertainty have made employees reluctant to leave their jobs, even if they are unhappy.
Additionally, widespread layoffs across industries have eroded trust between employers and employees, weakening company loyalty. Many workers also feel frustrated with employers who did not continue the flexibility and work-life balance that became common during the pandemic.
How is Resenteeism Different from Quiet Quitting?
Resenteeism is sometimes confused with quiet quitting in the workplace, but despite sharing similarities, both terms mean very different things.Quiet quitters tend to silently withdraw effort and stop going above and beyond, sticking to the minimum in their job descriptions. In contrast, resentful employees may be more vocal about their discontent. They often actively dislike their jobs and can negatively impact company culture rather than simply being passively disengaged.
Examples of resenteeism include:
- complaining to coworkers about managers, pay, or company decisions
- appearing to lose interest in company goals or contributing less to team projects
- making uncharacteristic mistakes, missing deadlines, or letting the quality of work slip
Why Does Resenteeism Happen?
Many believe that resenteeism is the latest evolution of the post-pandemic pushback against hustle culture.It can often reflect workers prioritizing their well-being and wanting more autonomy over how, when, and where they work. When employers aren’t keeping up with these changing needs and attitudes, resentment grows.
It’s important to recognize that the problem isn’t the resentment itself. Resentment is a natural human response when employees feel their needs aren’t being met, their opinions aren’t valued, or their contributions aren’t recognized.
The real issue is the deeper disengagement driving the behavior. The solution lies in understanding and addressing the root causes.

What is Resenteeism and How to Fix It in the Workplace
Discover what resenteeism is, why it’s on the rise, and practical ways to resolve it for a healthier work culture.
