Short Blurb (Abstract)

In today’s post-pandemic workplace, many employees are no longer “going the extra mile,” opting instead for minimal engagement—a phenomenon widely referred to as quiet quitting. While often framed as an individual attitude problem, this study reconceptualizes quiet quitting as a relational and communicative outcome shaped by organizational dynamics. Drawing on dialogic communication theory, this research examines how internal communication influences employee disengagement through the mediating roles of employee resilience and sense of community.

Using a nationwide survey of 700 full-time U.S. employees, the findings show that dialogic, two-way communication does not directly reduce disengagement, but works indirectly by fostering resilience and strengthening employees’ sense of belonging. In particular, a sense of community emerges as a key mechanism in mitigating psychological withdrawal behaviors.

The study advances public relations scholarship by positioning employees as fluid, relational publics and by reframing internal communication as a strategic function central to employee well-being and organizational sustainability. Practically, it highlights the importance of building communicative environments that prioritize listening, mutuality, and belonging to re-engage employees in an era of uncertainty.

Bio/ Short CV

Nur Uysal is Associate Professor at DePaul University (USA) and Director of the Center for Communication Engagement. Her research focuses on corporate diplomacy, ESG communication, and the role of AI in strategic communication. An award-winning scholar, she examines how organizations navigate activism, crises, and global public spheres in an increasingly polarized and interconnected world.

Her work has been published in leading international journals and presented at global conferences. She has also led international research and teaching collaborations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, bringing a comparative and global perspective to her work.