Smoking Someone Out is Now Quiet Firing

Remember the saying, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”? (7/38/55) In the world of work, a similar principle applies: “It’s not just about firing you, it’s about making you want to quit.” This insidious tactic is called quiet firing, and it’s on the rise. It’s not a new tactic, “smoking people out” or making them want to quit has been around for as long as I can remember.

However, with quiet quitting, quiet hiring and related terminologies, we are now introduced to Quiet Firing. 🤫

Quiet firing doesn’t involve a pink slip. It’s a subtler strategy of creating a hostile work environment, stripping away responsibilities, and withholding opportunities until employees feel pushed out without ever being formally terminated.

The numbers are sobering. A recent Built In survey found that 56% of managers admit to wishing they could fire an employee without going through the official channels. That’s a significant portion of leaders resorting to backdoor tactics instead of open communication.

What are the signs you’re being quietly fired or smoked out?

👎🏻 Diminished responsibilities: You’re suddenly excluded from key projects or have your workload significantly reduced.

👎🏻 Frozen promotions: Despite exceeding expectations, you’re consistently overlooked for advancement opportunities.

👎🏻 Limited resources: You’re denied training, support, or tools needed to excel in your role.

👎🏻 Social isolation: You’re excluded from meetings, team events, or communication channels.

👎🏻 Negative performance reviews: Unfounded criticisms become a regular occurrence, despite a solid track record.

If you suspect you’re being quietly fired, don’t stay silent.

💡 Document everything: Keep a record of specific instances and dates to build your case.

💡 Schedule a meeting with your manager: Seek clarification about your performance and career development opportunities.

💡Explore internal options: Consider transferring to a different department or team within the company.

➡️ Start your job search: Don’t wait for things to get worse. Update your resume and network actively. It’s important that you go out on your terms, not a weak manager’s terms. Besides – do you really want to be on this person’s team if this is how they manage?

Quiet firing/smoking someone out/making an employee’s life miserable is a harmful practice that erodes employee morale and trust. By recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps, you can protect your well-being and career trajectory. Remember, you deserve respect and fair treatment in the workplace. Don’t let anyone quietly push you out. Go out on your terms.

#QuietFiring #cpacareer #CareerTips #careercoach