A recent ResumeTemplates.com survey of 1,128 U.S. business leaders reveals that quiet firing the indirect practice of pushing employees out without formal termination is now a widespread strategy in 2025. Tactics such as delayed raises, heavier workloads, reduced benefits, and increased in-office mandates are being used to avoid direct layoffs, legal risks, and bad press. While leaders report some success, the long-term costs to morale and culture are significant.
Quiet Firing Stats: How Widespread Is It?
-
53% of companies are using or planning to use quiet firing this year
-
42% are already employing the tactic
-
11% plan to start later in 2025
-
-
41% use it to target specific employees
-
34% hope to reduce severance and legal risks
-
32% cite fear of bad press as a motivator
These numbers highlight how quiet firing is not a fringe practice, but a deliberate, cost-saving approach embraced by a large segment of employers.
The Quiet Firing Playbook: Common Tactics
Companies are implementing multiple strategies to create a discouraging work environment:
-
47% delaying raises or promotions
-
46% enforcing stricter workplace policies
-
45% increasing workloads
-
42% mandating more in-office work days
-
35% reducing pay or bonuses
-
32% cutting employee benefits
These tactics are designed to nudge employees out voluntarily rather than dealing with the legal and reputational risks of direct layoffs.
Effectiveness vs. Consequences
-
85% of employers say quiet firing is effective
-
However, 90% admit it’s damaging morale
-
77% observe employees staying despite poor treatment due to the tough job market
-
Alarmingly, 21% admit to layoffs specifically to lower morale among those who remain
“Quiet firing might seem efficient, but it erodes trust and damages productivity,”
— Julia Toothacre, Chief Career Strategist at ResumeTemplates
The tactic may appear to save costs in the short term, but risks backfiring through loss of top talent and rising disengagement.
Why Employers Are Downsizing in 2025
A mix of economic and technological pressures is driving the trend toward workforce reduction:
-
50% cite declining revenue
-
46% blame rising costs due to tariffs
-
39% expect a recession
-
31% point to automation replacing jobs
Most businesses are aiming for moderate workforce reductions, with 40% cutting 5–10% of employees.
Layoffs Still on the Table
Despite the shift to quiet firing:
-
60% of companies have already laid off staff in 2025
-
34% plan further layoffs, regardless of quiet firing outcomes
-
32% will pursue layoffs if quiet firing doesn’t achieve the desired result
Quiet firing is clearly not replacing layoffs, but being used alongside or as a prelude to more formal staff cuts.
The rise of quiet firing in 2025 reflects a business environment focused on cutting costs with minimal disruption. However, the data makes one thing clear: the human cost is high. Trust, morale, and loyalty are eroding—potentially driving away high-performing employees while less engaged staff remain.
As companies navigate economic uncertainty and automation, leaders must weigh the short-term savings of quiet firing against long-term cultural and reputational damage.
