Have you heard of quiet firing? This is where managers say or do something to make the workplace unpleasant for an unwanted employee, in the hope that this individual will quit on their own.
It’s called quiet firing because it’s a form of termination, only without the explicit act of firing that requires the employer to make the first move.
If you become the target of a quiet firing, there will be signs that indicate you’ve fallen out of favor. They may be subtle or not subtle, and you shouldn’t be overly paranoid about it—maybe your boss is just having a bad day.
But if you notice several of the following red flags, it could be a sign that you’re being “quiet fired” from a job you aren’t ready to leave.
#1: Your manager’s behavior toward you has changed
Is your manager more hostile or indifferent toward you? Does your boss avoid you or not respond to your emails or calls? Have you noticed a distance or formality that wasn’t there before? If your instincts are telling you that something has changed for the worse, pay attention. It's possible that there has been a miscommunication, but if your manager continues to be distant and unresponsive, it could be a sign that you are no longer in their good graces.
#2: Criticism of your work is suddenly relentless
When your discussions with your boss focus on what you’re doing wrong instead of what you’re doing right, that's a good indication that your efforts are not valued or appreciated. You should especially be on the lookout for criticism that seems petty and is concentrated on small details rather than the overall quality of your work. Nit-picking suggests they’re looking for any excuse to give you negative feedback and make you feel uncomfortable.
#3: You are not being invited to meetings or events
When you’re being excluded from either business or social gatherings, it means that an important line of communication is being closed to you. If it happens once or twice, it could be a coincidence. But if you notice that your colleagues are meeting without you frequently, then you can assume it’s being done on purpose, to send you a message that your presence is no longer desired or welcome.
#4: More than one of your projects has been reassigned
While having your projects reassigned when you’re busy can be a blessing, having them taken away from you without explanation can be a warning sign—especially if they’re being distributed to those who sit below you on the organizational hierarchy. This could very well mean that someone else is being groomed to take over your position.
#5: You're not getting the raises, promotions and bonuses your expect
At first, you might dismiss this as organizational belt tightening. But when your co-workers are enjoying these benefits while you are not, this is a sign that something far more sinister (from your perspective) is going on. Unless there is a rational explanation for this type of unfair treatment, it is reasonable to wonder whether you’ve been targeted for a forced resignation.
#6: Your thoughts and recommendations are being disregarded
With your proven track record of success, it makes sense for the higher-ups to listen to your ideas, and to even seek out your input on occasion. If this situation changes and your suggestions are no longer being valued or implemented, it could indicate a lack of trustin your abilities and expertise. This could be a subtle way of discrediting you and making you feel insignificant in the organization.
#7: You’re no longer being asked to join work teams
Cooperative projects have always been one of your specialties. But now, suddenly, you’re seeing work teams formed that don’t include you. Instead of being asked to support your colleagues’ efforts, you’re being restricted to solo projects, and likely not very interesting ones at that. If you’re now being excluded from work teams, it could mean your managers have decided to prioritize the advancement of employees they know are going to be around for the long haul.
#8: Career development is pretty much a thing of the past
At one point, you were given plenty of opportunities to stretch your wings and learn new skills. But all of this has changed. Now, you’re stuck performing the same old routines day after day with no indication they expect you to do anything better. If your career development has been mothballed, it’s a sure sign that management no longer sees a reason to help you grow and learn.
#9: None of your workplace discussions reference future plans
It may seem as if your bosses are still communicating with you in an open and friendly manner. But if the content of those discussions is focused entirely on the here-and-now, that could be interpreted as a harbinger of impending doom. It is natural to discuss the future of the business with any valued employee. When no one is including you in such conversations, it implies you won’t be a part of that future.
#10: You’ve heard rumors of downsizing plans or coming layoffs
This is an urgent matter in any instance, and especially worrisome if you’ve noticed your managers treating you differently (and not in a positive way) than before. This could mean you’re on the chopping block, along with any of your co-workers that are noticing any changes in their relationships with company leaders or executives as well.
#11: HR has been getting on your case
If you’ve never had much interaction with human resources before, but now you’re receiving notes of admonition or being asked to attend meetings where you’re being told that your conduct or performance are not up to company standards, you may be in trouble. When you know your performance is as good as ever, it’s safe to assume your HR department is being used as a tool to help push you out.
Worried about being quiet fired? Then speak up!
If you think you are being quietly fired, take the bull by the horns and schedule a meeting with your manager right away. This is the only real alternative to stressing over it or living in denial, which can set you up for a very hard fall if you try to wait out the storm only to be fired in the end.
It's in your best interests to know what is going on, so you can decide what to do next. Once you know the truth you may be able to negotiate an amicable split or a mutually agreed-upon separation, which could protect your career prospects moving forward.
On the other hand, you could find out that you’re not being quiet fired at all. The slights you’ve perceived may have been unintentional, based on misunderstandings, or rooted in breakdowns of communication. This means you can fix the problems and emerge from the experience feeling more secure about your job and your future.
Being quietly fired would be an unpleasant experience for anyone. But even if the worst happens, it doesn’t mean the end of everything. The results don’t have to be catastrophic if you take the initiative and take charge of the situation before things escalate any further.
