Does quiet quitting manifest differently through karmic lenses and social comparisons?

Purpose This study aims to examine the mechanisms underlying quiet quitting (QQ) by probing the roles of supervisor undermining (SU), negative workplace gossip (NWG) and emotional exhaustion (EE), with an emphasis on the moderating impacts of social comparison orientation (SCO) and karmic duty orientation (KDO). Design/methodology/approach Grounded in the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, the study investigates these associations in the context of 359 employees from various industries in India, including financial services, IT, hospitality and education. Data were collected and analysed using a survey design through structural equation modelling to derive significant conclusions. Findings The findings reveal that SU and NWG significantly predict EE, which drives QQ. While SCO does not moderate the relationships between SU, NWG and EE, KDO emerges as a critical cushion, weakening the link between EE and QQ. Remarkably, NWG does not directly influence QQ, signifying that its impact is mediated entirely through EE. These findings emphasise the significance of addressing emotional exhaustion and nurturing inherent motivations, such as KDO, to alleviate disengagement. Practical implications The study can be helpful to both academicians and practitioners. The study contributes to the literature by discovering the nuanced trails through which workplace toxicity influences QQ and proposes practical insights for organisations targeting the improvement of employee engagement. Organisations should take a number of initiatives to mitigate the negative impact of supervisor undermining and negative workplace gossip and cultivate a positive work environment by reducing the intention of quitting and promoting retention. Social implications Tackling the negative effects of employee exhaustion and quiet quitting can help in improving employee well-being. This will help increase social cohesion in families and communities, leading to better productivity and enhanced socio-economic growth. This will also set a precedent for fair and ethical workplace practices. Originality/value Integrating social comparison theory and karmic duty perspectives with authors’ foundational theory (COR), the study investigates how individual differences influence these relationships at diverse points in the research model. This interplay between external workplace stressors and internal individual differences is unique and offers a nuanced understanding of quiet quitting.