Resenteeism

In human resources, resenteeism refers to a form of professional dissatisfaction wherein individuals choose to remain in unfulfilling jobs breeding resentment and a sense of entrapment. This is because they either unable to find a more applicable position, or are concerned about the perceived risks associated with changing employment. Individuals experiencing resenteeism will have poor employee engagement and may appear disillusioned, embittered, miserable, and unhappy. Resenteeism arose following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great resignation where people reevaluated their work-life balance in the face of cost-of-living increases and is an extension of quiet quitting. Resenteeism is a form of occupational burnout.

Resenteeism has been attributed to poor workplace culture, a disconnect between employers and employees, and subtle layoffs. It is prevalent among employees who had to give up remote work and return to the office. Engaging in resenteeism may negatively impact mental health. Employers can address it by fostering a respectful workplace and investment in employees.

The term was coined by SaaS cloud provider RotaCloud and popularized in 2023 on TikTok and is a portmanteau of resentment, absenteeism, and presenteeism.