How to Look Busy at Work When You Aren’t

Every job has one: the overzealous worker who seems to plug away, hour after hour, without so much as a bathroom break. He wants to impress the boss with his constant typing, emails and phone calls. Chances are, at least part of his efforts are feigned. The art of looking busy is less exhausting than it looks. Just don’t blame us if you get a promotion.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Can of soda
• Determination

1. Copy your boss on all relevant emails. Even if she doesn’t read each one, she will see you as a communicator.
2. Type, type, type—the faster the better. Even if you end up with a page of gibberish, you will seem passionate about your work.
3. When you hear your boss approach, pick up the phone and stage a conversation. She is likely to ask you for less when she thinks you’re busy.
4. When you leave for the day, leave your monitor on with a half finished document on the screen.
5. Put an open, half-finished soda bottle near your chair and drape a jacket across the arm to give the allusion you are still there but away from your desk.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't overdo it. If you're on a phone call every time your boss walks by, she will get suspicious.