Task Masking: How Gen Z Workers Are Feigning Busyness Amid Job Security Fears

Let’s get real—if you’re part of Gen Z, you’ve probably mastered the art of window-juggling, Slack responding, and email refreshing. And you’re not alone. The trend of “task masking,” where workers put on a show of bustling activity without actually pushing the needle forward, is reaching new heights. It’s fueled by whispers of layoffs, economic news cycles, and that lingering question: “Am I indispensable?”

Why Task Masking Is Taking Over

The pressure’s legit. Gen Z has entered the workforce in a landscape crazier than their TikTok FYP. Layoffs and restructures are a common headline. It’s no wonder there’s a reflex to keep cursor movement constant, to join every optional Zoom, or to have an oh-so-overflowing project management board. On the surface, this seems smart—being “seen” as busy should equal job security, right?

But task masking comes at a cost. It shifts attention away from deep, meaningful work and traps you in a cycle of shallow, reactive busyness. Over time, it erodes mental energy, fuels burnout, and actually reduces the value you bring.

The Personal Toll I’ve Seen—and Felt

As someone who lives and breathes modern productivity, I’ve walked this tightrope myself. Early in my career, I wore busy-ness as armor. If I looked scattered enough—constantly toggling screens, typing fast—I believed nobody would question my output. What I didn’t see coming was the chronic fatigue, the sense that I was always “working” but rarely achieving.

Through coaching hundreds of professionals, I’ve seen this anxiety-run performance from the inside. The patterns are clear: it’s not laziness, it’s self-preservation mixed with a deep need for validation in uncertain times.

Signs You’re Task Masking (Without Even Realizing)

• Constantly checking email and messages but not progressing on your real priorities.
• Over-documenting your work in shared tools or chat just in case someone’s watching.
• Jumping onto meetings where your presence isn’t truly needed—just to show up.
• Lining up long to-do lists with tasks that are more about optics than impact.

How to Break Free—No Matter the Job Market

Don’t let fear box you in. Here’s how you can claim your focus back and still keep your job security:

• Work in public with purpose: Share meaningful updates that communicate real progress, not just activity. Highlight outcomes, not just effort.
• Batch and set boundaries: Cluster your shallow tasks into set blocks, and fiercely protect deep work time. Trust that quality, not noise, is what makes you stand out.
• Have transparent 1:1s: After every manager check-in, clarify priorities. Show the “why” behind what you’re choosing to focus on.
• Be brave about visible downtime: If a project’s done or you’re waiting on feedback, don’t fill every minute with “fake busyness.” Use white space for reflection, upskilling, or strategic planning.

Own Your Output—Not Your Optics

Gen Z is reshaping workplace norms, and that includes the courage to break free from old-school “look busy” culture. The jobs and leaders you want to stick with are drawn to authenticity, creative solutions, and thoughtful delivery—not endurance in the shallows.

So, if you catch yourself task masking this week, remember: your worth at work isn’t measured in frantic motion, but in focused progress. It’s time to drop the mask. Choose impact over appearance, and watch how your day—and career—transforms.

Ethan Rhodes