The End Of Discretionary Work In The Workplace
- Morgan Hunter
- Jan 21
- 4 min read
In this episode of Monster in My Closet, Anil and Morgan explore "The End of Discretionary Work in the Workplace." They discuss the growing trend of employees dialing back on going above and beyond at work, dissecting the root causes such as burnout, lack of recognition, and disengagement. With their trademark humor and insight, they unpack the cultural and systemic factors at play, challenge common workplace narratives like "quiet quitting," and advocate for boundary-setting and meaningful recognition. As always, they offer actionable advice for leaders to rebuild trust, reengage employees, and create an environment where discretionary effort becomes a choice, not an expectation. These show notes include the following:
"The gaslighting is strong with you—like Yoda, but corporate."
Key Takeaways
Understand the Problem: Recognize that reduced discretionary effort is often a reaction to burnout, lack of recognition, or systemic workplace issues.
Set Boundaries Early: Assert personal boundaries at the start of a new role to manage expectations and maintain work-life balance.
Reward Efficiency: Shift the focus from hours worked to outcomes achieved. Celebrate employees who deliver results efficiently.
Be Transparent as a Leader: Clearly communicate the reasons behind decisions like return-to-office mandates to build trust and credibility.
Encourage Employee Autonomy: Empower employees to decide how to use their time efficiently, promoting a sense of ownership and trust.
Provide Recognition and Fair Compensation: Acknowledge contributions meaningfully, whether through financial rewards, career opportunities, or simple acts of appreciation.
Prioritize Workload Management: Regularly evaluate team workloads to ensure tasks are valuable, promotable, and not leading to burnout.
Leverage AI Wisely: Use AI tools to boost productivity and support employees, not replace their value or effort.
Model Boundaries as a Leader: Show your team that it’s okay to say no and focus on what truly matters.
Rethink New Employee Onboarding: Remove pressure to overperform in the first 90 days, focusing instead on learning and adapting to the culture.
"Yes, I DID used AI. Are you still wasting company resources by doing things inefficiently?"
Tips to increase discretionary effort among employees
Create a Positive Work Environment - Foster a supportive and inclusive culture where employees feel valued and respected. Promote a positive work environment that appreciates employees' contributions. Encourage collaboration and camaraderie among team members.
Provide Clear Direction and Purpose - Communicate the company's mission and vision clearly to all employees. Help employees understand how their work impacts the greater goals of the organization. Remind employees of their purpose and the importance of their role.
Empower and Trust Employees - Give employees autonomy over managing their workday. Provide opportunities for employees to set their own expectations. Encourage creativity and innovation by allowing employees to explore new ideas.
Recognize and Reward Effort - Implement effective recognition programs to acknowledge employees' contributions. Show appreciation for extraordinary efforts and contributions. Encourage peer-to-peer recognition to ensure exceptional work is noticed6.
Support Professional Growth - Offer training and development opportunities to help employees improve their skills. Provide meaningful feedback and guidance to support employee growth. Create opportunities for employees to stretch their skills and succeed4.
Ensure Job Fit and Engagement - Use behavioral assessments to understand employees' natural tendencies and place them in roles where they can thrive. Adjust roles to fit employees' unique skills and passions. Conduct regular employee engagement surveys to gauge satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
Foster Open Communication - Encourage open and transparent communication between management and employees. Implement feedback systems to gather insights from peers, supervisors, and subordinates. Use check-ins and automated tools to solicit regular feedback from employees.
Don’t burn out your employees. Also if they say they are burnt out then they are.
No one wants “a salaried job” that nets out to $4.25 per hour and comes with take-home nightmares.
Research and Statistics
Gallup: Employee engagement leads to 21% higher profitability, but only 23% of employees worldwide feel engaged.
According to a Deloitte survey, 77% of employees have experienced burnout, impacting productivity and discretionary effort.
Employees with flexible schedules are 43% less likely to experience burnout, per the Harvard Business Review.
A 2022 LinkedIn report highlighted that 74% of employees would prefer recognition for their work over additional perks.
The diary of a coach: disgruntled employees withdraw ‘discretionary effort’
The Latest Employee Engagement Statistics (Updated for 2024)
"It’s discretionary—it’s in the name!"
Suggested Reading
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink.
The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It by Jennifer Moss.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.
Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance by Jeffrey Pfeffer.
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker.
"The Truth About Employee Engagement" by Patrick M. Lencioni
"Carrots and Sticks Don't Work" by Paul L. Marciano
"Employee Engagement for Everyone" by Kevin Kruse
"An Everyone Culture" by Robert Kegan, Lisa Laskow Lahey, et al
"Measure What Matters" by John Doerr
Wrap-up
Discretionary effort in the workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a barometer of organizational health. When leaders focus on building trust, setting clear expectations, and recognizing contributions, they create an environment where employees feel empowered to go above and beyond—not out of obligation, but out of genuine commitment. In 2025, let’s redefine success by valuing efficiency, setting boundaries, and making work more human. After all, when work is purposeful and balanced, everyone wins.
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