Taskmasking: Is Gen Z Really Reinventing the Art of Looking Busy?
New Stardom | Work News
There's a buzzword popping up in office hallways and HR meetings lately: taskmasking. Recently coined and highlighted prominently by sources like The Guardian, Forbes, and many others, taskmasking refers to employees intentionally appearing busy, typing vigorously, attending numerous meetings, or wearing headphones to signal intense focus, without actually engaging in substantial or productive work.
According to a recent Guardian article published in March 2025, the term "taskmasking" specifically gained popularity as Gen Z employees returned to offices after the remote work era during the pandemic. The Guardian points out how these workers, feeling resistant to forced return-to-office mandates, adopted visible yet superficial busyness as a subtle form of protest.
But is taskmasking genuinely new, or is it simply an old habit under a catchy new label?
What Exactly Is Taskmasking?
Taskmasking includes behaviors like loudly typing on keyboards, walking hurriedly through office spaces, attending meetings unnecessarily, or wearing headphones continuously, all designed to project an image of hard work.
The phenomenon is notably prevalent among younger employees, particularly Gen Z, who might feel pressured by return-to-office mandates. Taskmasking allows these workers to demonstrate visible signs of activity while internally disengaging from tasks they view as unnecessary or tedious.
But Is Taskmasking Actually New?
While the phrase "taskmasking" itself is freshly coined, experts argue that this kind of performative busyness has existed for decades. Employees across generations have long engaged in similar behaviors: rearranging paperwork, making unnecessary calls, or having prolonged coffee breaks disguised as "collaboration sessions."
"This behavior is as old as offices themselves," notes workplace historian Dr. Julia Simmons. "Every generation has had their own version of pretending to be busy, whether leafing through documents, attending redundant meetings, or looking intensely at screens."
Why Is Taskmasking Trending Now?
Today's revival of this old workplace behavior likely arises from new tensions around hybrid and remote work. Younger workers, particularly Gen Z, who started their careers remotely during the pandemic, feel resistant to policies that require a full-time return to the office. For them, taskmasking might be a subtle act of resistance against what they perceive as outdated or ineffective policies.
It’s also a signal to employers: if workers don’t see clear value or meaning in their assigned tasks or office presence, they may consciously or subconsciously engage in superficial busyness.
As workplace expert Emma Carter points out, "The solution isn't to police keyboards and calendars, it’s to ask why employees feel the need to pretend."
The Bottom Line
Taskmasking might be a catchy new word, but it's really an old issue. The key takeaway for companies? Instead of focusing on signs of productivity, concentrate on creating a workplace environment where meaningful work is clearly defined, valued, and rewarded.
Maybe Gen Z didn’t invent the act of "looking busy," but their growing dissatisfaction with superficial tasks might push companies to finally address the underlying problems, ushering in a more genuinely engaged future for workplaces everywhere. For more news and trends about the future of work, follow New Stardom.
Have insights on work and the future of work? Submit an opinion piece to New Stardom. Love work and career books? Explore our fun workplace book collection.
New Stardom is an independent magazine covering the Future of Work, AI, and emerging job trends. Stay informed and explore more on New Stardom.
