‘The Hope Is That You Will Eventually Quit’: Experts Reveal the Signs That You Are Being Quietly Fired Are you a target of this passive-aggressive management tactic? Here are the signs.
By David James Aug 14, 2025
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- Quiet firing involves employers intentionally treating an employee so badly that they leave.
- A recent HR study of 1,000 managers found that 53% engaged in it.
- Some of the signs of quiet firing include the removal of resources and responsibilities.
A passive-aggressive form of management is making headlines: quiet firing, the practice where bosses make working conditions so unpleasant for an unwanted employee that the person leaves on their own accord.
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3. Being left out of meetings. Being cut out of communications and planning for upcoming initiatives is the biggest red flag that you are being quietly fired, the experts told USA Today.
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… … keep a record of everything — save emails and request feedback in writing, and keep all of this documentation on a personal computer. As the experts point out, quiet firing isn’t necessarily illegal, but it is if it is tied to discrimination or workplace retaliation.
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<< Maybe I should begin a thread on “Job Employment Self-Defense”?>>
With all the emphasis on AI and “replacement by H1B’s”, the average “salaryman” (to steal a Japanese concept) should be on alert and taking steps to secure their continued employment (i.e., a steady paycheck).
My old advice still has value:
Success for your generation is: (1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt; (2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you; (3) a NON-OFFSHORABLE white collar job in order to save big bux; (4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber; (5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open; (6) a free time hobby that generates income; and (7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you.
BUT, (and there is always a BIG butt), now there is a new survival imperative.
(8) creating value both inside your current job and outside of it as well.
INSIDE, might take the form of careful observation of the bureaucracy around you and what could be eliminated, condensed, transformed, or enlarged. Don’t be afraid that you will be eliminated. If you find it out, then someone else will too. Be motivated.
OUTSIDE, it could be taking your dikw (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) to another employer or competitor. You should have all YOUR stuff duplicated off-site lest you get surprised and walked out.
<<When I was on Wall Street brokers used to keep a “shadow book” at home. Often then they were fired and walked out, they were contacting old clients before the Firm had even a replacement in place. One fellow’s wife was his at home admin assistant and started before he was even out of the building. That’s being prepared.>>
In summary, remember that the alternative to being “Quietly Fired” is “Quietly Quitting” aka being prepared and executing your pre-departure actvities.
Forewarned is forearmed. (Or is it FOUR armed?)
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Reinke Faces Life 