 | It has been suggested that Quiet hiring be merged into this article. ( Discuss ) Proposed since December 2025. |
In human resources, performance punishment also known as quiet promotion refers to the burdening of high-performing employees with additional work, often without compensation or promotion. [1] [2] [3] It is related to quiet hiring, the practice of having an employee take on a new responsibilities or a role within their company due to need. [4] The role may be temporary or permanent, and the reassignment may not align with employee interests. [4] Quiet hiring often occurs during economic slowdowns as a cost-saving measure. [4]
Performance punishment can lead to occupational burnout, resentment, and a sense of being undervalued leading to morale loss. [1] Performance punishment of high-performers may also limit opportunities for improvement of low-performers and alternative growth opportunities for high-performers. [5] Performance punishment allows for performance deficits of low-performers to be ignored. [6]
Performance punishment can be mitigated by having work fairly distributed, promoting skills development, and transparent communication. [7]
Performance punishment and quiet hiring may negatively impact employee engagement with reassigned employees quiet quitting or mentally checking out. [8] Quiet hiring may promote the utilization of nontraditional labor pools and allow workers to gain new skills and try out new roles for career development. [9] [10] Quiet hiring encourages the promotion of internal employees over external hiring. [11]
