Are You In A Career Slump Or Being ‘Quiet Fired'? How To Tell The Difference
Are you in a career slump or being quietly fired?
So, you've hit that weird place at work where things feel… off. Maybe your career feels like it's stuck in slow-motion, or worse—you have the sneaking suspicion that you're getting iced-out from projects and meeting by your boss and team. Here's the million-dollar question: Are you just in a normal career rut, or is your company quietly shoving you out the door without saying a word. (Yep, that's a thing. It's called 'quiet firing,' and it's sneakier than you think.)
If you're wondering what's really going on, let's break it down. Here's how can you tell if you're just stuck or if you're being sidelined—and what to do about it before you waste any more time.
Look, we've all been there. You're crushing it one minute, and then suddenly, your job feels like Groundhog Day. Same tasks, no new projects, and zero promotions in sight. It sucks, but it doesn't always mean the end is near.
Career stagnation feels like you're in a penalty box—you're not moving up, no matter how many weekends you work or how much face-time you get with your boss. One reason for your stuckness could be that your company is going through changes, budgets are tight, or you have a new leader and you feel like you're in a 'proving yourself' phase. Try not to freak out is this feel like what you're experiencing because none of them necessarily mean that a layoff is imminent.
If this sounds like your situation, the good news is you're probably in control here. Time to ask for that stretch project, sign up for training, or casually scope out other roles inside the company.
Now, quiet firing? That's a whole different beast. A LinkedIn poll found that more than 80% of employees have either watched it happen to a co-worker or been on the receiving end of it themselves. And, even though there is all sorts of media attention around forced return to office policies, a significant portion of the US workforce is still working remotely or in a hybrid environment. About 27% of remote-capable employees are exclusively remote, while 52% work in a hybrid environment, according to a Gallup poll from February 2025. Hybrid and remote work makes it easier than ever for managers to hit mute on your career—ignoring your emails, leaving you out of meetings, and generally making you wonder if you're still on the team. When your employer starts giving you the slow fade—basically making your work life miserable, they may be hoping you'll quit on your own. No drama, no official paperwork, just a silent nudge toward the exit.
Here's what quiet firing looks like in real life:
Because how you handle this mess depends on what's really happening. If you're stuck in a rut, you can probably fix it with some hustle and honest conversations. But if you're being quietly pushed out, it's time to get strategic—document everything, ask some tough questions, and maybe start updating that LinkedIn.
If you're stuck:
If you think you're being quietly fired:
Whether you're stuck or being sidelined, don't let your career turn into a slow fade-out. You deserve to be in a place that values your talents and pushes you to grow. Trust your gut, speak up, and if you need to, walk away with your head held high.
Remember: The only person who should quietly fire you is you—when you decide it's time to level up and go after something better.
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