When your job slowly drains you: The rise of ‘quiet cracking’ in South African workplaces
From burnout to blowout: How to prevent quiet cracking before it’s too late.
Image: IOL Ron AI
We’ve all had those weeks at work where we feel a bit “off” like we’re treading through sinking sand just to answer emails or make it to meetings.
But when that sense of dread, disconnection or exhaustion quietly lingers, it might be more than just a rough patch.
You could be experiencing what’s now being called “quiet cracking” - the slow emotional unraveling that often goes unnoticed until it becomes too overwhelming to ignore.
For many South African workers navigating tight budgets, heavy workloads and limited career growth, the struggle is all too real.
Unlike full-blown burnout, quiet cracking is harder to spot, both in yourself and others, because you’re still showing up and going through the motions until one day, you just can’t anymore.
Imagine a plate with tiny cracks. It still works, until eventually, under pressure, it shatters.
That’s what’s happening to many employees across the country who are slowly breaking down behind the scenes, often unnoticed by management or even themselves.
There are several reasons this might be happening. You may feel unsupported, under-appreciated or stuck in a role that lacks meaning or future prospects.
When there’s no recognition or career growth in sight, it’s natural to start asking: “what’s the point?”
According to Peter Duris, CEO of Kickresume, nearly 15% of employees don’t fully understand what’s expected of them in their role. Add to that the 29% who feel overwhelmed by their workload, and it’s a recipe for emotional fatigue, and quiet cracking.
So what can you do?
The first step is to talk to your manager. It’s not always an easy conversation, but being honest about your emotional well-being can help open the door to change.
If left unspoken, things could spiral into what’s now being called “revenge quitting” - a form of protest where employees quit suddenly and dramatically, often during critical times for the business.
Whether it’s walking out mid-shift or leaving a short-staffed team in the lurch, revenge quitting is becoming more common, especially among younger workers who feel mistreated or ignored.
Don’t wait for the cracks to deepen. If something feels off, speak up before it all comes crashing down.
IOL Lifestyle