Task Masking: How Gen Z Employees Are Feigning Productivity Amid Job Security Fears

It’s no secret that the professional world moves at a breakneck pace — and lately, so does the creative ingenuity employees bring to keep their jobs safe.
Enter Task Masking: the latest trend quietly sweeping through Gen Z’s corner of the workplace.

As a workplace strategist who’s coached hundreds of professionals on optimizing their routines, I’ve witnessed first-hand how job anxiety can twist “getting things done” into more of a performance than a reality. Gen Z is feeling the squeeze — and it’s no wonder. With headlines of layoffs, companies tracking keystrokes, and meetings multiplying like summer weeds, young workers are under pressure to appear ultra-engaged.

So, What is Task Masking?

Task masking is the art (and sometimes necessity) of camouflaging your real productivity behind busywork that looks valuable. Think endless Slack pings, calendar Tetris, and slide decks that dazzle — all masking the fact that meaningful progress is treading water. At its core, task masking is a response to fear: the fear of being overlooked, let go, or falling behind.

Why Gen Z Is More Prone to Task Masking

Gen Z is digitally native — they know every shortcut, every workaround, every way to automate visible activity. But their work environment is a high-wire act:

• Hybrid/remote work makes output tougher to measure, pushing folks to signal “I’m online!”
• Team tools like Asana, Teams, and Notion demand a constant stream of updates and check-ins that can feel performative.
• Social media pressure heightens the need to succeed and impress, leading to an “always on” persona even at work.
• Job insecurity post-2020 is real, with many worrying their last task wasn’t enough to secure tomorrow’s paycheck.

The Hidden Cost: Why Task Masking Is a Productivity Trap

Task masking keeps you busy but rarely gets you closer to goals that matter. The result?
Chronic fatigue, burnout, and stalled growth. When everything is urgent — nothing is truly important.

How to Ditch Task Masking: Steps for Real, Noticeable Value

1. Prioritize Ruthlessly: Each morning, choose one high-impact task that moves your main goals forward. If everything feels important, nothing is.
2. Batch the Busywork: Set “administrative sprints” two or three times a day to clear emails and chat notifications, then silence them. Be known for results, not replies.
3. Be Transparent with Managers: Proactively share real outcomes, not just activity. Highlight finished projects, solved problems, and new ideas — not just hours at your screen.
4. Own Your Boundaries: Protect your time. Push back on back-to-back meetings and pointless status updates. Explain you’re working on deeper problem-solving.
5. Celebrate Real Wins: At week’s end, list what’s truly changed because of your work. Make this your new barometer for “a productive week.”

Breaking the Pattern — and Standing Out

Task masking will keep you unnoticed in the pack. The true game-changer?
Consistently delivering outcomes that your team and company can’t ignore. In an era fixated on metrics, being the one who makes shift happen is a surefire job-security play.

There’s no shame in wanting to look good for the boss or hold on to a precious opportunity. But channel that energy into creating genuine impact, not just appearances. Next time the urge to send a flurry of late-night emails hits, ask yourself: “Is this task mask or mission critical?”

You have the power to rewrite your workweek and stand out — for all the right reasons.

Keep optimizing,
Ethan Rhodes
Workplace Strategist & Productivity Coach