Employees aren’t just quitting their jobs — they’re quitting differently. Some are going quiet, doing the bare minimum just to get by, while others are walking out with a microphone in hand, broadcasting their exit to the world. Either way, the message is clear: disengagement is everywhere, and it’s not going away on its own.

In this episode of HR Baddies, host Katie Garcia, MBA, SHRM-CP takes a brutally honest look at what’s driving the wave of workplace disengagement in 2025 — from quiet quitting and loud quitting to the silent slump that happens when employees stay but stop caring.

Katie breaks down how leadership, culture, and communication all intersect to create either a thriving workforce or a burned-out one. With humor, empathy, and that signature HR Baddies candor, she helps business leaders and HR pros understand what’s really going on behind the buzzwords.

1. What “Quiet Quitting” and “Loud Quitting” Really Mean Forget the hashtags — these are just symptoms of a deeper problem. Quiet quitting looks like disengagement, withdrawal, and emotional detachment. Loud quitting, on the other hand, shows up as public frustration, resentment, or a dramatic “I’m done!” moment. Both stem from the same root cause: people no longer feel connected, valued, or heard.

2. Why Employees Are Checking Out in 2025 Katie dives into the modern workplace challenges that are draining motivation — from burnout and poor management to a lack of career clarity. She calls out the post-pandemic fatigue still lingering in organizations and how inconsistent leadership and hybrid work confusion have eroded trust across teams.

3. The Leadership Wake-Up Call Quiet quitting isn’t a performance issue; it’s a relationship issue. When employees don’t see transparency, recognition, or growth opportunities, they pull back. Katie explains how managers can start listening again — not through surveys, but through real conversations.

4. How to Re-Engage Employees (Without Pizza Parties) Forget surface-level morale boosters. Katie shares actionable tips for rebuilding engagement that actually stick:

• Introduce recognition programs that celebrate small wins.

• Train managers to run “stay interviews” — not just exit ones.

• Revisit your company’s purpose and communicate the “why” behind the work.

• Create genuine two-way communication — because no one thrives in silence

• Disengagement is not disloyalty. It’s often a cry for leadership and clarity.

• Recognition is the antidote to burnout. Employees who feel seen perform better.

• Quiet quitting is fixable — if leaders start listening again.

• Communication is culture. You can’t build trust in silence.

If you’re an HR professional, people leader, or business owner trying to understand why your once-engaged team suddenly feels disconnected — this episode is for you. It’s honest, strategic, and packed with simple, actionable steps to help you re-engage your workforce and rebuild trust where it’s been lost.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

🎧 Listen to the full episode → www.hrbaddies.com

📘 Read Katie’s book, Empowering Military Talent → https://a.co/d/efmRboC

💼 Follow KDG Support on LinkedIn for daily HR insights and veteran & military spouse hiring tips.