Quiet Hiring: New Trick Bosses Are Turning To Ahead Of Mass Job Losses

The Finance Act 2023, whose implementation was suspended by the High Court, ignited concerns from employers across Kenya who are staring at potential consequences for them and their employees.

Despite the court order, businesses expressed worry regarding the doubling of value-added tax (VAT) on fuel products to increase operating costs, as it will raise energy, transport and manufacturing costs.

Also in the spotlight is the contentious Housing Levy whose introduction via a 1.5 per cent monthly rate on workers' salaries will see the employers having to match the same amount, which threatens to increase wage costs.

"There is a trend among some employers of quiet hiring, where HR professionals look for potential hires on online platforms based on social engagements and so on, so be proactive in the communities you find yourself in and be careful about the kind of content you post," Yusuf Saleh, a Human Resources (HR) strategist, revealed during a Citizen Digital Twitter space on Tuesday, July 4.

What Is Quiet Hiring?

Quiet hiring is when an organisation leverages current employees' capabilities to acquire new skills without recruiting new full-time staff. This allows employers to keep a steady headcount by focusing instead on nurturing and promoting in-house talent and can also give current employees the chance to upskill and experiment with new tasks.

While it can refer to bringing on short-term contractors, it usually means giving current employees more responsibilities beyond their current job description. Some examples include moving to other positions or taking on different projects internally.

According to Gartner, this focus on mobilising internal talent to address organisational needs can be a win-win for both the company and the employees. If done correctly, it can fulfil employees’ career aspirations and boost their loyalty while keeping payroll costs under control.

However, the pitfalls of quiet hiring lie in asking too much from employees who may already feel overworked and burning out - a key reason behind the 2022 trend of quiet quitting - or in giving them extra responsibilities beyond their current job description without a proper promotion or raise.

How to benefit fully from quiet hiring

Quiet hiring can also help reduce the pressure, for employees, of having to apply for a new role in a competitive job market.

Instead of having to compete with external candidates, workers can be approached for new opportunities within their organisation based on their skills and expertise. This can provide a sense of stability while offering opportunities for professional development.

However, as organisations continue to adopt quiet hiring, it is essential for employees to remain vigilant and ensure that they are not being taken advantage of.

“If the company asks you (an employee) to switch to some other role looking after evaluating your work and if you feel that the role being offered is of a better grade, then do state your conditions concerning work hours and internal appraisal,” an HR expert told CNBCtv18.

However, quiet hiring is not meant to exploit employees but rather to offer them space for professional growth, meaning organisations must strike a balance between building employees’ skills and protecting their well-being, a matter that could successfully give their organisations a distinct competitive advantage.