The quiet exit: how work pressure slowly pushes people out of service
Sometimes people leave without ever really saying goodbye. Not physically, but mentally. They're still there, but not entirely present. High work pressure has become a silent exit strategy. People stay in their seats, but they've checked out. Until one day, they don't come back at all.
Research from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) confirms it: work pressure is strongly linked to job changes, particularly when people lack support and their health is suffering.
Work pressure is a collective responsibility. It's not something individuals should have to 'learn to carry' alone. Too often, we see people only leave when things have become truly unbearable. By then, it's too late for prevention, for recovery, for a meaningful conversation.
The data shows that 1 in 6 employees experiences persistently high work pressure. For them, the risk of leaving or dropping out is significantly higher. But these figures aren't an endpoint. They're a starting point for action.
If we want people to stay, we need to make sure they can stay. By investing in autonomy, meaningful work, and a culture where people feel safe to flag when things are too much – before they break.
At Colbe, we choose insight and leadership that creates space. For recovery. For recognition. For prevention. Because we believe no one leaves without reason. There's always a story behind it.
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