LISTEN: Experts warn bosses of new fake work trend
Are you guilty of task masking?
Whether you love your job or not, most of us can agree on one thing: we'd prefer not to work as hard to make a living.
Imagine spending your days surrounded by nature or binge-watching movies on the couch.
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It's been five years since everyone was confined to their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many businesses have since opted for a work-from-home and office balance.
Others have switched to full-time office life once again.
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Some workers still find it hard to adapt and have found a way to adjust, even if it is a little suspect.
This new work trend might also be considered lazy or used by people who want a break.
According to some sources, Gen Z workers are using 'Task Masking' to pretend like they are sitting in the office doing work when they are actually not.
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Naturally, this trend originates from TikTok and while some people are all for it, management teams and bosses are less than impressed.
Here are a few of the Gen Z suggestions on how to look busy without being busy:
- Type furiously and loudly.
- Make frustrated noises occasionally to give the illusion that you are frustrated with work.
- Take your laptop and walk fast to any other area in the office.
- Page through your notebook from beginning to end with ferocity and continuously.
- Always carry your laptop when you leave your desk.
- Look at a blank screen and move your mouse around (aka mouse shuffle) as if you are working on a project.
- Call a friend or partner while using business lingo and hand gestures so it looks like you are talking business.
- Walk through the office with your phone to your ear.
- Make serious facial expressions.
Many people are questioning this behaviour as it obviously seems counterintuitive.
However, with their other trends of 'quiet vacationing', 'Bare Minimum Mondays', and more, these work trends are passive-aggressive reactions to the power and control of big corporations.
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These trends tend to be more about workers making a statement than wanting to be perceived as lazy or unambitious.
Listen here to learn more:
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