Word Wiz: Fauxductivity

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Fauxductivity, which describes the illusion of being productive despite not accomplishing meaningful work, is becoming more prevalent in the workplace, according to Workhuman's 2024 Human Workplace Index. A portmanteau of faux and productivity, the report says that the term reflects a growing concern: Employees are staying busy with low-value tasks that look impressive but don't contribute to core goals. Such tasks can include attending excessive meetings, responding to persistent interoffice messages, or performing monotonous work such as formatting reports.

Fauxductivity, which describes the illusion of being productive despite not accomplishing meaningful work, is becoming more prevalent in the workplace, according to Workhuman's 2024 Human Workplace Index. A portmanteau of faux and productivity, the report says that the term reflects a growing concern: Employees are staying busy with low-value tasks that look impressive but don't contribute to core goals. Such tasks can include attending excessive meetings, responding to persistent interoffice messages, or performing monotonous work such as formatting reports.

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Nearly half of managers believe that "faking activity" is a common issue on their team, according to Workhuman's report. The survey also found that leaders are the biggest culprits, with 38 percent of C-suite executives admitting to faking activity and 37 percent of all managers engaging in fauxductivity. Both percentages are higher than the 32 percent of nonmanagers who admitted to the practice.

Nearly half of managers believe that "faking activity" is a common issue on their team, according to Workhuman's report. The survey also found that leaders are the biggest culprits, with 38 percent of C-suite executives admitting to faking activity and 37 percent of all managers engaging in fauxductivity. Both percentages are higher than the 32 percent of nonmanagers who admitted to the practice.

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When leaders fake activity, the index notes, it can create a toxic cycle of performative productivity and productivity anxiety. Well-being is the top reason index respondents cited for fauxductivity, so management should create a psychologically safe culture that enables workers to acknowledge when they need a break.

When leaders fake activity, the index notes, it can create a toxic cycle of performative productivity and productivity anxiety. Well-being is the top reason index respondents cited for fauxductivity, so management should create a psychologically safe culture that enables workers to acknowledge when they need a break.