How OpenBlue Solutions are Helping Organisations Combat "Quiet Cracking"

In the UK, the employment landscape has undergone a shift. After several years marked by high mobility and widespread career changes, workers are now far less inclined to move roles. Economic uncertainty, rising living costs and a cooling jobs market have encouraged many employees to prioritise stability, a trend increasingly described as job hugging. According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK job‑to‑job move rate has fallen to its lowest level since 2012, signalling a clear slowdown in voluntary departures. With fewer people switching roles, employers may see greater workforce stability on the surface, but there is an on-going underlying risk of disengagement.

While stability may sound positive, job hugging can mask deeper issues. When motivation fades and employees feel stuck rather than inspired, job hugging can evolve into a more damaging pattern known as quiet cracking.
 

What is quiet cracking?

Quiet cracking describes a situation where employees remain in their roles but feel burnt out, disconnected or unhappy. Common indicators include

• A decline in work quality
• Missed deadlines
• Reduced enthusiasm for team initiatives
• Limited participation in meetings

A recent TalentLMS global study found that more than half of employees experience some degree of quiet cracking. The consequences are significant. Gallup estimates that reduced engagement cost the global economy 438 billion dollars in lost productivity in 2024. According to a recent study by TalentLMS, 54% of employees experience some level of quiet cracking. The broader implication is clear: when engagement falters, business goals become harder to achieve. Gallup estimates that decreased employee engagement cost the global economy £320 billion in lost productivity in 2024.

The encouraging news is that organisations are increasingly recognising the role that workplace design and technology can play in supporting engagement. Research consistently shows that positive, well‑designed work environments improve performance, commitment and long-term achievement. OpenBlue solutions, already widely used to optimise space and reduce operational costs, can also help address the root causes of job hugging and quiet cracking. Here is how.

How OpenBlue improves workplace wellbeing and indoor air quality

A healthy, comfortable environment is essential for sustained engagement. Poor indoor air quality, inconsistent temperatures and inadequate lighting can all affect mood, concentration and energy levels, increasing the risk of quiet cracking.

OpenBlue sensors, when paired with OpenBlue Workplace, give facilities teams real-time visibility of environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, lighting and air quality. This enables proactive adjustments that maintain optimal indoor conditions. Organisations can even display IAQ metrics on screens throughout the office, reinforcing their commitment to employee wellbeing.

OpenBlue Insights adds another layer of intelligence by showing how spaces are being used. Noise levels, for example, can have a major impact on focus. Insights helps teams refine layouts, ensuring quieter zones are available for those who need them and reducing the environmental stressors that contribute to disengagement.

Explore healthy building solutions in the UK by clicking here.
 

Boosting team collaboration with OpenBlue Insights and Companion

While quiet spaces are important, collaboration is equally vital. Quiet cracking often thrives when employees face barriers to connecting with colleagues. If booking a room or coordinating a meeting becomes a chore, collaboration can quickly decline.

OpenBlue Insights provides utilisation data that helps organisations understand whether they have the right mix of meeting spaces. Combined with Companion’s room booking and management features, facilities teams can ensure that collaborative spaces are easy to find, easy to reserve and aligned with how people actually work.
 

Preventing workplace disruptions with predictive maintenance tools

Even the best-designed workplace can be undermined by frequent equipment failures or slow responses to maintenance issues. Repeated disruptions are a major source of frustration and can accelerate quiet cracking.

OpenBlue Equipment Performance helps prevent these issues by using data from building systems such as HVAC and lighting to detect faults early. The system prioritises alarms based on business impact and automatically generates work orders to speed up resolution. Predictive and proactive maintenance workflows help identify issues before they become visible, reducing downtime and keeping the workplace running smoothly.

This data-driven approach allows employees to stay focused on meaningful work rather than dealing with avoidable disruptions.
 

Create healthy, productive workplaces with OpenBlue solutions

The early signs of job hugging and quiet cracking can be subtle, but their long-term impact on morale and performance is significant. OpenBlue solutions give organisations the tools to take a proactive approach, supporting employee wellbeing and creating environments where people can thrive.

While no single technology can eliminate disengagement entirely, OpenBlue helps real estate and facilities teams address many of the underlying causes by delivering workplaces that are consistently healthy, efficient and engaging.

Learn how OpenBlue can help tackle quiet cracking and accelerate your organisation’s goals, by clicking here.