Rage Applying: Is This the New Quiet Quitting?

First it was the great resignation, then quiet quitting and now – rage applying?

Rage applying is the latest trend in the job market - it's like a mad dash to the finish line, except the finish line is a new job.  

Employee retention is more critical than ever and with one trend after the next, leaders are going to HR for advice on how to navigate these trends that put their teams at risk.

Here's a guide on how to navigate this latest one – rage applying.  

What is rage applying?

Unlike quiet quitting, where employees distance themselves from their work and become less motivated, rage applying is when an employee starts applying for any role, even if it’s not well suited for them, just to get out of their current situation.  

Rage applying isn’t the result of one bad workday – it's the result of general disengagement due to a number of factors. When workers are consistently underpaid, overworked and left hopeless, they begin asking themselves, “is this worth it?”  

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Why should leaders care about rage applying?

A whopping 67% of Canadian professionals have rage applied in 2023. According to this study, more than half of this group stated they left their organization due to toxic work relationships. That’s a lot of angry job seekers!  

But why should leaders care about this new trend?

You could lose your best employees

People don't leave their workplace; they leave their managers.

When a company is losing its best talent due to poor management, that means there are some serious adjustments that need to be made. It's time to start investing in your managers and providing them with the training they need to support their teams. Leaders are often the key agents to change and if they’re not aware of their team's needs, they will unfortunately lose their best performers.

The cost of turnover is high

Turnover is not a term any business likes to hear. It’s predicted that turnover costs about one third of a person’s annual salary. Recruitment, onboarding, and training all cost businesses a lot of money when they are constantly turning over employees.  

Gen Z is entering the workforce

Younger generations are seeking opportunities that give them fulfillment. They also can easily recognize the signs of a toxic workplace and are more inclined to walk away than to fight for what they want in their current role.  In a job where they feel powerless, rage applying might give them a small sense of power, even if it results in a new, mediocre job.  

Learn more about the needs of today’s multigenerational workforce in our Recognizing Generational Diversity culture guide.

Even though rage applying may only seem like a trend, it could be a sign of deeper issues going on within the workplace. Leaders need to pay careful attention and invest in solutions that will help build a better culture, so their employees can thrive in this new era of work.  

How can managers support employees they suspect are rage applying?

1. Foster open and honest conversation. Have regular check-ins with your team so you can keep communication consistent and better recognize signs of burnout. Tessa White, also known as the “Job Doctor” on TikTok, talks about some of these helpful tips from her own experience when she was called a micromanager by her best team member.  

2. Consider their career growth. Career planning can be challenging, but it’s key if you want to hold on to your best employees. Create an environment where your employees can harness new skills and reach their career goals, so they can fully see and understand their future in the company.

3. Invest in recognition. It’s no secret employee recognition leads to business success. Employees who receive regular recognition are more productive, motivated, and committed to their organization, which leads to a more positive work environment and higher retention rates.

Demonstrating to your employees that you care, and their work is valued through meaningful recognition will have tremendous impact on your team. Using an employee recognition solution, like Kudos, you can recognize every moment of excellence and foster a culture of appreciation to improve overall job satisfaction, leading to a more committed and loyal workforce.  

People leave their jobs for many reasons, and that’s okay.

Sometimes it’s time to say goodbye and embrace new opportunities. But if we’ve learned anything over the last few years – losing top talent due to poor management and lousy culture is a costly mistake. In today’s competitive job market, trends like rage applying will only continue and it’s up to leaders to take notice and make the necessary changes.  

Investing in your employees is investing in the success of your business.

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