Quiet Quitting and Career FOMO: How Young Workers in Indonesia Are Redefining Work

DC NEWS – Among young professionals in Indonesia, two ideas have come to define conversations about work: quiet quitting and career FOMO. Together, they reflect a deeper shift in how a new generation views ambition, stability, and personal well-being.

Amid economic uncertainty, persistent layoff risks, and the lingering effects of the pandemic, many workers—especially from Generation Z and the millennial cohort—are rethinking what it means to succeed at work. Increasingly, they are choosing sustainability over relentless pursuit.

The Rise of Quiet Quitting

Despite its name, quiet quitting does not involve leaving a job. Instead, it describes a growing tendency among employees to fulfill only the responsibilities outlined in their roles, while stepping back from unpaid overtime, constant availability, or expectations that extend beyond formal duties.

A recent report by Gallup, State of the Global Workplace, underscores the scale of the phenomenon. In Indonesia, only about 27 percent of workers are considered actively engaged in their jobs. The majority fall into categories often associated with disengagement—workers who do what is required, but little more.

Across Southeast Asia, similar patterns have emerged, suggesting that this is not an isolated trend but part of a broader regional shift.

Experts point to pandemic-era burnout and a perceived imbalance between effort and reward as key drivers. A 2025 study by the University of Indonesia found that employees with higher levels of emotional well-being at work—referred to as job flourishing—were significantly less likely to adopt quiet quitting behaviors.

Career FOMO in the Age of Social Media

Running parallel to this trend is career FOMO, or the fear of falling behind professionally. Fueled by constant exposure to curated success stories on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, many young workers find themselves measuring their progress against others.

Promotions, salary increases, and high-profile job changes—once private milestones—are now publicly visible markers of achievement. For some, this visibility creates pressure to accelerate their own careers, sometimes at the expense of thoughtful decision-making.

In many cases, career FOMO leads to overwork and exhaustion, ultimately pushing individuals toward quiet quitting as a form of self-preservation.

Why It Is Happening Now

Several factors have converged to make these phenomena particularly pronounced in Indonesia.

Economic pressures remain significant. Government data from the Ministry of Manpower indicates that 8,389 workers were laid off between January and March 2026, with the highest concentration in West Java.

At the same time, younger generations are placing greater emphasis on work-life balance, rejecting the idea that professional success should come at the cost of personal well-being.

Social media has further amplified these dynamics, offering a constant stream of comparison that can intensify both ambition and anxiety.

Consequences for Companies and Workers

For employers, the implications are substantial. Disengaged workers can lead to lower productivity, reduced innovation, and higher employee turnover.

For workers, the picture is more complex. Quiet quitting, when practiced intentionally, can help preserve mental health and prevent burnout. But taken too far, it may slow career progression.

Career FOMO, meanwhile, carries its own risks, often fostering chronic dissatisfaction and stress.

A Search for Balance

Some experts advocate a shift toward more individualized definitions of success. The concept of JOMO, or the joy of missing out, has gained traction as a way to resist constant comparison and focus on personal priorities.

Setting clear boundaries—such as limiting work communication outside office hours—is increasingly seen as essential.

For organizations, improving employee engagement may require more than productivity targets. Fair compensation, open communication, and flexible work arrangements are often cited as key to retaining talent.

Ultimately, quiet quitting and career FOMO are not fleeting trends. They are signals of a generational recalibration—one that prioritizes meaning, balance, and long-term sustainability over rapid but potentially unsustainable success. []