Gen Z's “taskmasking” trend: The new way young workers fake productivity in the office
Kumar Shivam | Mar 12, 2025, 02:35 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives )
As companies push for employees to return to the office, young workers are employing creative tactics to appear busy while avoiding real work. This phenomenon, called "taskmasking," has become a way for Gen Z to navigate the pressures of office life. From loud typing to fake meetings, employees are finding ways to look productive without actually doing much.
As employers demand that employees return to the office, young workers are turning to creative ways of maintaining the illusion of productivity. This trend, known as "taskmasking," allows employees to appear busy without doing substantial work. It is becoming increasingly common as workers adjust to the shift back from remote to office life, where looking busy is often more important than actually being busy.
How taskmasking Works
Taskmasking can involve actions like loudly typing on a keyboard, pretending to attend meetings with AirPods in, or carrying a laptop or clipboard around the office. These actions simulate productivity, often mimicking behaviors associated with a hard-working employee. The practice is now part of both in-person office culture and digital environments, where workers engage in tasks that don’t contribute to real output but give the impression of being busy.
The Social and Emotional Toll
While taskmasking may make workers seem productive, it can be emotionally draining. Young employees, in particular, feel the weight of constantly pretending to be busy, especially after years of remote work. Experts note that this behavior highlights deeper issues in workplace culture, including the pressure to be constantly visible and the stress that comes with the lack of genuine recognition for actual work.
The Future of taskmasking
As taskmasking becomes more common, companies are starting to use technology to track employee activities. From software that monitors online behavior to sensors that track movement in the office, employers are finding ways to ensure that workers are engaged. However, as automation and AI tools take over more tasks, the need for taskmasking may persist. The trend raises important questions about the value of physical office presence and how productivity should be measured in the future.
Taskmasking represents a reaction to the pressures and expectations of returning to the office, offering workers a way to cope with the scrutiny of managers. While it may provide temporary relief, it underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to measuring workplace productivity, one that moves beyond superficial appearances.
How taskmasking Works
Taskmasking can involve actions like loudly typing on a keyboard, pretending to attend meetings with AirPods in, or carrying a laptop or clipboard around the office. These actions simulate productivity, often mimicking behaviors associated with a hard-working employee. The practice is now part of both in-person office culture and digital environments, where workers engage in tasks that don’t contribute to real output but give the impression of being busy.
The Social and Emotional Toll
While taskmasking may make workers seem productive, it can be emotionally draining. Young employees, in particular, feel the weight of constantly pretending to be busy, especially after years of remote work. Experts note that this behavior highlights deeper issues in workplace culture, including the pressure to be constantly visible and the stress that comes with the lack of genuine recognition for actual work.
The Future of taskmasking
As taskmasking becomes more common, companies are starting to use technology to track employee activities. From software that monitors online behavior to sensors that track movement in the office, employers are finding ways to ensure that workers are engaged. However, as automation and AI tools take over more tasks, the need for taskmasking may persist. The trend raises important questions about the value of physical office presence and how productivity should be measured in the future.
Taskmasking represents a reaction to the pressures and expectations of returning to the office, offering workers a way to cope with the scrutiny of managers. While it may provide temporary relief, it underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to measuring workplace productivity, one that moves beyond superficial appearances.