Let’s take a look at the three most popular workplace trends on TikTok, how they impact employee engagement, and how to address them.
Table of contents
Tiktok has become a popular platform for Millennials, and Gen-Zs in particular, to express their changing attitudes in the workplace.
Such TikTok workplace trends reflect the values and priorities of this younger generation regarding work-related issues and situations and can significantly impact employee engagement.
These trends, therefore, give you as an employer or HR professional an excellent opportunity to think creatively about better engaging this new generation of workers and aligning their priorities with the workplace.
To help you on your way, we’ve created an overview of the three most viral TikTok workplace trends and how you can seize them as an opportunity to do just that.
Let’s dive in!
‘Quiet Quitting’
The trend
Quiet quitting is a trend that involves doing the least amount of work required for your job without getting your performance reviewed or fired. So basically, staying strictly within the boundaries of your job description without doing anything extra like working late, going above and beyond, or helping with additional tasks.
The motivation behind this TikTok workplace trend is to promote work-life balance and reject the idea that one’s identity is tied to their work.
The solution
This trend presents you with an opportunity to better understand what motivates your employees and engage them on a deeper level.
For some employees, you can do this by diversifying their workload or encouraging skill development, incentivizing them and their growth within your company.
If these drivers aren’t centered around work, acknowledge that and help employees set boundaries while defining your expectations by setting clear goals and performance metrics. Also, consider implementing mental health and wellness programs.
‘Rage Applying’
The trend
Rage applying is the trend of applying to multiple jobs in a short period of time (that you’re not necessarily qualified for or interested in) out of strong dissatisfaction and frustration with your current job.
This workplace trend often results from employees feeling unappreciated, fed up, or burned out and is simply a way for them to vent. Getting responses from other companies further makes employees feel ‘wanted,’ further allowing them to use potential interviews as bargaining chips internally or switch to a new job with better pay and benefits.
The solution
The main solution to this trend lies in improving internal communication.
Evaluate your internal communication channels and how accessible and effective they are. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are employees able to give feedback and raise concerns freely?
- Are managers empowered to resolve problems within their teams?
- Do you recognize your employees for their efforts and achievements?
Creating clear and secure communication channels, encouraging two-way communication, and consistently checking in with your employees are essential to enhance employee engagement and nurturing a sense of community and belonging.
‘Bare Minimum Monday’
The trend
Think of bare minimum Monday as quiet quitting, but specifically for the start of the workweek.
This TikTik workplace trend aims to relieve the ‘Sunday scaries’ and the pressure many people feel about returning to work full-speed by doing the bare minimum amount of work on Mondays.
This allows employees feeling unmotivated, unproductive, or anxious on Mondays to ease into the work week without feeling guilty, especially if they have a busy week ahead.
The solution
Embrace this trend by thinking of creative ways to ease the ‘Monday blues’ and creating a supportive working environment. You can, for instance, provide a nutritious breakfast, team activity, or wellness session. This will help your team divert their attention from the week’s stresses to something more positive and create an ambitious mindset.
Be sure to motivate your employees through encouragement and support rather than pressure since the latter will only contribute to the underlying issue.
The Bottom Line on TikTok Workplace Trends
In addition to challenging conventional ways of working, TikTok workplace trends offer employers and HR professionals an opportunity to better understand, support, and engage the new generation of employees and foster a positive and inclusive work culture.
Adapting to new trends allows you to stay ahead in a rapidly changing work environment, attract and retain top talent, and ultimately position your company for long-term success.