The Rise of ‘Quiet Cutting’ and Why It’s a Risky Move for Small Teams

When someone on the team isn’t pulling their weight, what do you do? 

Some employers have started using a quiet tactic known as “quiet cutting.”  

Instead of having a difficult conversation or following a proper process, they move the underperforming person into a less important or less desirable role, hoping they’ll either improve or leave on their own. 

It might feel like a neat solution. No awkward conversations. No risk of tribunals. And in today’s tough legislative   environment, it can seem safer than letting someone go. 

But quiet cutting often causes more harm than good, especially in small businesses where every role and relationship matters. 

Why ‘quiet cutting’ can backfire 

Team morale takes a hit. Your other employees will notice. And they’ll wonder what’s going on. Are roles being shuffled without explanation? Is underperformance being brushed under the rug? That kind of uncertainty can lower trust and motivation across the board. 

You risk losing good people. When strong team members see unfairness or feel like poor performance is being ignored, it can push them out the door. And suddenly you’re not just dealing with one tricky employee, you’ve got a retention issue. 

The problem doesn’t go away. Moving someone into a new role without dealing with the root issue doesn’t solve the problem. Often, it just drags it out. And guess what? It’s still your problem. 

You might still end up in trouble. Avoiding proper performance management can actually increase your legal risk if things go wrong. Without clear documentation or fair process, it’s harder to justify your decisions later. 

So, what should you do instead? 

Handle it head-on, fairly, clearly and with confidence. Managing poor performance doesn’t have to be a minefield. With the right steps, you can support your employees, protect your business and maintain a healthy team culture. 

We’ve made it easy for you. 

Sign up now at Dakota Blue Academy and get access to our step-by-step guide to managing performance written for small business owners like you. 

Let’s stop dancing around the issue. 
You’ve got a business to run. We’ll help you run it well.