A sharp rise in employees searching for the term “quiet cracking” is shining a spotlight on an emerging form of hidden burnout, according to analysis from YuLife, an employee benefits and wellbeing provider.
The study, based on UK Google Trends data, found searches for “quiet cracking” have spiked by 145 percent in the past week alone, with more than 1,000 searches recorded over the past month.
The phrase describes employees who appear to be coping on the surface but are struggling internally. Unlike visible stress, which may lead to time off or open conversations with managers, quiet cracking can be much harder to detect, and because of this it is a growing challenge for HR leaders.
The Autumn Stress Surge
The provider’s analysis highlights a seasonal trend, with September and October emerging as some of the most stressful months for UK workers. As businesses push towards year-end targets, deadlines intensify just as households are hit with back-to-school pressures and rising living costs.
Traditionally, the focus has been on “January blues” as the peak period for workplace wellbeing concerns. But the rise in searches for quiet cracking suggests that stress is mounting much earlier in the year. Employees may be “holding it together” publicly, while privately running on empty.
YuLife warns that quiet cracking can have significant business impacts if left unaddressed. Employees who mask stress often continue working until they reach breaking point, leading to higher sick leave in the first three months of the year (Q1) after months of “pushing through”.
It can also lead to reduced engagement during the vital pre-Christmas trading season, increased staff turnover, as people decide to leave rather than raise concerns.
The provider said its findings suggest wellbeing campaigns launched in January may come too late, with the real pressure point arriving in Autumn. As a result, YuLife recommended that organisations bring forward their wellbeing efforts.
Employers can launch campaigns in September, train managers to spot early signs of strain, promote counselling and GP services, and offer flexible working patterns to ease seasonal pressures.
Employees have also been encouraged to be proactive, by setting boundaries, seeking support early, and building resilience habits such as exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation.
Katie Howarth, head of people at YuLife, said: “Quiet cracking is the kind of burnout that flies under the radar; employees keep performing on the outside, but inside they’re running on empty. The surge in searches shows people are recognising the term, but it’s also a warning sign. If employers only act in January, they’ve already missed the pressure point. By supporting staff earlier in the autumn, organisations can prevent burnout and build a healthier, more resilient workforce year-round.”
