Why This Community Exists
Hi there,
I created this space because workplace dysfunction doesn’t demand grand gestures. It thrives in the quiet corners where people are too exhausted or unsure to push back. “Quiet cracking” is not about leaving. It is about staying broken in plain sight.
This newsletter is here to help you stay informed, stay motivated, and stay sane in a toxic workplace. Each issue gives you tools to survive, push back, and protect your well-being. It will also keep you updated as we move toward the official launch of the Work’s Not Working community on November 15, 2025.
I’m glad to be alongside you on this journey.
— Wesley Faulkner
Survival Tactic: The Definition of Done (DoD) Document
Sometimes managers will accuse you of not finishing work, not meeting expectations, or not delivering what they asked for. I had a manager like this, and one of the best tools I developed was something I called a Definition of Done (DoD) document.
Here’s how it works:
During the task handoff: Take notes on what was asked, what you will deliver, and most importantly the success criteria.
Write it up: Put those notes into a short “Definition of Done” document.
Send it back: Email your manager with a line like, “Per our meeting today, here’s my understanding of what you’re asking. Can you confirm before I proceed?”
Get clarity: They will either confirm, correct, or ignore it. If they ignore it, you have proof they are the blocker. If they correct it, you have captured the clarified expectations.
Protect yourself: Once they agree, you deliver exactly what was documented. If they later claim it was not what they asked for, you can point back to the agreed upon DoD and ask what has changed.
This small step shifts accountability back where it belongs and prevents vague or shifting expectations from being used against you.
➡️ If you have a survival tip you would like to share, click the button below to submit it for the next newsletter.
Quiet Cracking (Published August 13, 2025)
A new trend is emerging: employees aren’t just disengaging, they’re breaking down in plain sight. “Quiet cracking” shows up as exhaustion, tears, and burnout — people still show up to work, but at a personal cost that signals the system itself is failing. via Business Insider
Workplace Stress by the Numbers (Published August 12, 2025)
83% of U.S. workers suffer from work-related stress, and over half report full burnout. Stress drives nearly 1 million absences every day, costing companies an estimated $300 billion annually — proof that workplace dysfunction is both human and systemic. via Apollo Technical
It’s been one week since I officially launched the Work’s Not Working newsletter and introduced the concept of this community. I first shared it on the TWiT podcast (link if you’d like to watch).
The first week brought its challenges. A bug made newsletter sign-ups fail on some mobile browsers, but after a few iterations it’s finally fixed ✅. I’m also learning just how much time and effort it takes to build a community from scratch. While it’s harder than I expected, it’s also energizing.
I know it’s obvious that things will take longer than expected, and it feels even more obvious as I write this. I’m making mistakes — and that’s expected — but I’m also learning a lot, and that part is truly exciting.
My goal is to create something unlike anything else online. Not a clone. Not a knockoff. Something truly unique. I’ll be sharing prototypes and screenshots soon so you can see what’s taking shape.
I’m grateful to the many people who have already offered help and support to make this a success. I’m working on ways to open up those opportunities, so stay tuned for more details in future newsletters.
If there’s a feature or requirement you believe this community must have, I’d love to hear it.
Thank you again for your support as I build this space for all of us navigating the realities of work.
Know someone stuck in a job with no clear way out? Share this issue and help them join the community now. Together we can build a space where no one has to face work struggles alone.
They want us to feel isolated, like our struggles are ours alone. But the more we come together, the fewer of us will fall through the cracks.