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Task Masking: Gen Z Work Trend & Career Risks
- A growing number of employees, especially those in Gen Z, are engaging in "task masking"—appearing busy while accomplishing little.
- The rise of task masking, often showcased in viral videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, highlights deeper issues within companies, experts say.
- Jeffrey Ditzell, a psychiatrist, defines task masking as creating the impression of being busy without doing meaningful work.
Task masking, a concerning workplace trend, sees employees, notably Gen Z, feigning productivity. This means appearing busy without achieving actual results, a practise that can severely impact your career trajectory. Discover how and why burnout and unclear objectives often drive this behavior. Experts explain how task masking behaviors, such as attending fake meetings and switching between tasks, can erode your professional credibility. We delve into the underlying workplace anxieties fueling this trend, including return-to-office mandates. Learn actionable strategies to combat task masking by seeking constructive feedback and prioritizing meaningful contributions, which leads to avoiding the adverse effects such as job termination. News Directory 3 provides insights into this evolving work culture. Discover what’s next in the fight for genuine productivity.
Task Masking: gen Z’s New Workplace Trend
Updated June 17, 2025
A growing number of employees, especially those in Gen Z, are engaging in “task masking”—appearing busy while accomplishing little. This trend involves behaviors such as typing without purpose, attending fake meetings, and carrying laptops around the office to create an illusion of productivity.
The rise of task masking, often showcased in viral videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, highlights deeper issues within companies, experts say. It can be a response to return-to-office mandates or stem from workplace anxieties, but it poses a meaningful risk to one’s career.
Jeffrey Ditzell, a psychiatrist, defines task masking as creating the impression of being busy without doing meaningful work. “It’s a common trap where the appearance of effort is confused with genuine value,” Ditzell said.
Mason Farmani, a corporate coach, notes that task masking also includes frequently switching between tasks without completing them and focusing on minor work.
While pretending to be productive is not new, the rise of task masking is linked to shifts in post-pandemic workplace culture. Workers now prioritize remote work, work-life balance, and flexible schedules, especially among Gen Z.These preferences are often overlooked when companies emphasize in-office presence and hours worked over tangible results.
Task masking can also occur in “polygamous working” situations, where individuals hold multiple full-time jobs without informing their employers. The increase in remote and hybrid positions makes it easier for these employees to do the minimum required to appear engaged.
Ditzell believes that fear and burnout are often the primary drivers of task masking, rather than a desire to manipulate the system.
Ditzell said, “When people are overwhelmed or unclear about their goals, they may resort to task masking as a coping mechanism to avoid judgment or failure.”
To combat task masking, Ditzell advises employees to seek constructive feedback on their work. “Actively ask for real, constructive input on your outcomes and contributions, rather than just praise for your performative effort,” Ditzell said. “This helps you clarify what truly matters and build genuine confidence.”
What’s next
While task masking may offer short-term relief, it carries long-term consequences. Farmani suggests that if work is not inspiring efficiency and productivity, it may be time to consider changing jobs before termination becomes a risk.