Task Masking: Appearing Busy Without Actually Working

As return-to-office policies take effect, some employees are turning to “task masking” to avoid extra work while maintaining the illusion of productivity. Users on social media are sharing strategies to appear busy at work without necessarily taking on additional tasks. 

“Task masking is often an expression of insecurity at work, where employees feel pressured to constantly signal their value, particularly in environments where expectations are high or competition is strong,” says Ella Robertson, Managing Director, One Young World, to Stylist.

Many Gen Z employees entered the workforce in a remote or hybrid setting, where greater autonomy allowed them to manage their workload with minimal oversight. As return-to-office policies take effect, employees face closer supervision and use task masking to appear busy and avoid extra work.

Common task masking tactics include furiously typing on a keyboard, walking briskly around the office with a laptop, and making frustrated noises to appear busy, reports Forbes. Some employees even call friends or partners while using exaggerated business gestures to create the illusion of a work-related conversation.

This phenomenon is not exclusive to in-person work environments. A similar concept, known as "productivity theater," emerged during the pandemic in remote settings, reports WorkLife. Employees used mouse jigglers and other tools to appear active on platforms like Slack and email, even when they were not actively working. The lack of direct oversight in remote work contributed to the push for stricter return-to-office mandates, as companies sought greater visibility into employees’ daily activities.  

The rise of task masking reflects a shift in workplace dynamics, particularly for Gen Z employees, who value personalized trajectories over traditional corporate structures. Despite concerns about their job performance, employers prioritized hiring and retaining this demographic, reports MBN. In 2024, Gen Z saw the fastest salary growth at 9%, surpassing even Millennials who are starting to take on more managerial roles. 

“It is expected that by 2030 the population born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s will make up a third of our global workforce. And just 10 years later, by 2040, this generation will occupy dominant leadership positions in leading organizations around the world,” writes Francisco Martínez, CEO, Adecco México.