A recent study suggests that a significant portion of the workforce, particularly those in Generation Z, are engaged in faking productivity at their jobs. According to a July 2026 report by Software Finder, an expert discovery platform, 66% of employees and 73% of managers admit to pretending to be productive. The study surveyed 1,003 full-time U.S. professionals across remote, hybrid, and in-office settings.
The report indicates that 80% of Gen Z employees, defined as those under 28, engage in this behavior. The finance industry showed the highest rate, with 85% of its workers admitting to faking productivity. On average, workers spend five hours per week maintaining the appearance of productivity, equating to nearly seven workweeks annually.
Researchers attribute this trend not solely to a generational trait but to factors including burnout, exhaustion, and workplace cultures that prioritize perceived effort over actual results. This is particularly evident in fully in-office environments, where 53% of workers feel pressured to maintain appearances. Hybrid and remote workers report similar pressures at 49% and 41%, respectively.
Burnout is closely linked to this performative work, with 49% of those faking productivity reporting increased exhaustion. This effect is amplified in larger organizations, where burnout rates climb to 56% in companies with over 1,000 employees. The use of monitoring software also contributes, with 63% of workers stating that surveillance tools make them more likely to feign activity, and 75% agreeing that such software increases stress rather than productivity.
Common methods for appearing busy include periodically moving computer mice (56%), keeping decoy documents or browser tabs open (56%), and strategically responding slowly to non-urgent messages (43%).
Managers are also implicated, with 75% of mid-level managers and 44% of directors and above admitting to faking productivity. While 46% of managers posture to impress superiors, 11% cited HR or monitoring systems as reasons for their behavior.
Software Finder suggests that companies shift focus from visibility to outcomes, fostering trust and flexibility. The report concludes that organizations prioritizing results over appearances are better positioned to enhance both employee well-being and long-term productivity.