Refers to a workplace behavior in which employees give the appearance of being busy—such as keeping work applications open or engaging in nonproductive tasks—while not actually performing meaningful work. The practice, reported by more than half of surveyed employees in a 2025 Resume Now study, often stems from disengagement, lack of recognition, or diminished belief in the value of one’s contributions. The Resume Now report found:

• 23% of employees admitted to walking around the office with a notebook to look busy
• 22% have typed randomly to appear engaged
• 15% have held a phone to their ear with no real caller on the other end
• 15% have kept a spreadsheet open while browsing unrelated content
• 12% have scheduled fake meetings to avoid real work
• Just 12% of respondents said they never fake productivity.