Survey finds 66 percent of U.S. workers pretend to stay busy after finishing tasks

A survey of 1,003 full-time U.S. professionals found that 66 percent of workers admit to pretending to stay busy after completing their tasks. Gen Z employees reported the highest rate at 80 percent, compared with 68 percent of millennials and 58 percent of Gen X.

On average, workers said they spend nearly five hours each week maintaining the appearance of activity. That time equals roughly 32 workdays, or almost seven full workweeks, per year.

Techniques used to appear busy Among Gen Z respondents, 56 percent said they jiggle a mouse or keep an unused browser tab open, while 43 percent said they delay replies to non-urgent messages. Hybrid employees reported the highest overall rate of these behaviors at 76 percent.

Managers also acknowledged the practice. Nearly three-quarters, or 73 percent, said they have pretended to be busy, usually for their own supervisors.

Effects of monitoring and early completion Only 18 percent of workers said they feel guilty about the behavior. More than half who fake productivity said they finish assignments at least an hour before the end of the workday, and 22 percent said they finish two or more hours early.

Nearly two-thirds of employees at firms that use productivity-tracking software said the monitoring makes them more likely to fake activity. Forty-nine percent said the effort to appear busy has contributed to burnout. A technology consulting firm conducted the survey.