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The modern workforce is grappling with a new psychological phenomenon: quiet cracking. Following the Great Resignation and the rise of quiet quitting, this latest trend describes employees who are deeply dissatisfied with their jobs, but are too afraid to leave due to the current turbulent job market. Organizations are now filled with disengaged workers whose declining morale translates directly into lower productivity and a strained company culture. However, a new wave of AI platforms, such as Elvee, are able to detect and counteract quiet cracking, saving organizations millions of dollars a year.

 

The fear of a disengaged workforce in the overall marketplace is well-founded. The U.S. added just 22,000 jobs in August, below expectations and the economy lost 13,000 jobs in June - the first time since the pandemic. Workers are clinging to stability in a time of uncertainty, with nearly half of employees resorting to job hugging; staying in roles they dislike rather than risking unemployment. As economist Allison Shrivastava noted, "People are not leaving their jobs right now because they're nervous about the future of the labor market. It's a pretty stagnant labor market."

 

Lower turnover is generally considered a positive sign for a company. However in the case of quiet cracking, it leads to a stable workforce with declining motivation, commitment, and productivity. Ignoring these early signs can cost large companies as much as $330 million annually by dragging down performance and profitability.

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While the term "quiet cracking" is new, the underlying issues driving it aren’t. Unmanageable workloads, lack of recognition, and poor management have long contributed to burnout and turnover across numerous industries, especially ones where there are few alternative job opportunities. For instance, while contact centers are known for high-turnover, many are located in areas with few alternative employment opportunities, leaving employees feeling trapped in roles they cannot easily leave. Early intervention and systemic change are paramount to maintaining productivity and output, while protecting employees from burnout.

 

Beyond individual engagement, quiet cracking has ripple effects across organizational culture. When employees feel undervalued or disconnected, collaboration suffers, innovation slows, and even high-performing teams can lose their edge. Traditional HR metrics rarely capture the early warning signs of disengagement. Without timely insights, companies may only respond once morale has already deteriorated, making recovery more costly and time-consuming.

 

​The rapid adoption of AI and automation, intended to improve efficiency, has paradoxically increased anxiety among many employees. Notably, 77% of employees report that AI tools have added to their workload. To counter this, companies must demonstrate that AI can support employee success rather than threaten job security.

 

Addressing quiet cracking requires moving towards personalized, measurable retention strategies that target employee malaise. Most employees will not proactively discuss the underlying causes of their disengagement with their managers. Rather, they choose to put in their hours and make it through the day, while contributing at lower levels of performance. The onus is on managers and the organization to see the causes and find solutions. 

 

Elvee’s AI-driven employee experience platform is aimed at identifying and addressing disengagement. It provides smart predictions that identify top performers and flight risks three months ahead with 90% accuracy, sending risk notifications to managers. The tool cuts attrition by up to 50%, while monthly reductions have reached as high as 83%. 

 

Rather than relying on broad, impersonal actions, Elvee equips managers with insights for targeted one-on-one check-ins and coaching. It can recognize when employees are struggling, identify skill gaps, and tailor support to individual needs. This shifts the workplace from reactive firefighting to proactive coaching, where interventions are personalized, measurable, and timely. By combining these tools with emotional intelligence, organizations can foster an environment where employees feel seen, supported, and motivated, ultimately converting quiet cracking from a hidden threat into a lever for stronger engagement, resilience, and long-term performance. 

 

Proactively addressing quiet cracking empowers managers and employees alike and creates a culture where top talent stays and excels. Just 26% of employees who experience quiet cracking frequently feel valued or recognized. This is partially due to inexperienced managers who are often former high-performers promoted into leadership roles without any dedicated training. By leveraging AI-powered employee experience platforms such as Elvee, companies can shift from a reactive to a proactive, data-driven approach to talent management, ensure their managers have the right tools to motivate talent and smooth away any cracks forming in the organization’s workforce.