If they pay you to do something, you have to do it and do it well. But it's not always that simple, is it? What do you do if the job directions are vague, if the work is excess and messy, if your boss is strict and doesn't care if you are efficient and finished the job early?
Let's say you and your colleague need to report data from 100 files or organize 100 books. You hurry up and finish half an hour before your colleague and you have nothing else to do. Your boss arrives, annoyed that you're not doing anything and assigns you an awkward and useless job just because he doesn't like to see you relaxed (even if you finished early, right?). What are you doing? Do you quit? Write a grievance? Or slow down? These instructions are to reward your efficiency by using the extra time left after finishing a job early - without your boss noticing.
Steps
Step 1. You need to know what the efficiency standards are
By the end of the day, you must have done everything it takes to meet these standards if you don't want them to fire you. The most important thing to know is how long your boss or manager thinks you should commit to a particular task or project. So, take this time to do it - no more, no less (unless efficiency pays off in your case and is not punished). If, for example, your boss expects your task to be done in 40 minutes, while you can do it in 20, you need to keep busy in those other 20 minutes, "having fun" (at 3-5 minute intervals)., have your work ready and your desk clean. Fill your desk with different projects you're working on (or not, as it might be). Fill your desk with open binders, highlighted reports and post-its all over the place - make your workstation look like a battlefield. Also remember to keep the waste bin full, preferably with business-related items. All of this is perfect for a good boss, but for a bad boss it is even more so because he will be happy to see you busy (thus, he will feel like a good manager).
Step 2. Ask lots of questions
Think about the questions related to the tasks to be done and question your boss and your colleagues. Ask frequently questions so that everyone will think that you are really busy with your responsibilities. But be careful not to show yourself incompetent.
Step 3. Open some of the applications you normally use to work and leave them visible on your computer
The applications, of course, change according to the job. For example, if it is your job to record data, you should keep the database open on the monitor.
Step 4. Create a decoy screen
To have a good bait, open a couple of programs that you use daily. Make sure they are open and fill the screen so it looks busy. After that, take a picture of the screen, save it as an image and then use it as a wallpaper. Also, it is good to hide most of your icons, because otherwise you risk revealing the trick. So even if your computer is on your desk, you will always seem to be busy! Here's another bait: the next time you install a program, take a picture of the installation screen. Use it as a backdrop when you walk away, so that others believe you got up from your desk to wait for the installation to finish.
Step 5. Quick scribble
You can write your grocery list or other personal notes, but people who see you will think you're jotting down some end-of-day meeting ideas.
Step 6. Stay alert
Not working is like playing a game or playing a sport. You must always be active and ready for anything. Try to anticipate your opponents' next move - for example, does your boss always pass at the same time? Watch out for clues (if you hear footsteps getting closer, the creaking of a chair, or nearby movements, this could be a sign).
Step 7. Beware of Big Brother
Many companies monitor computer use. Learn about the rules of the company you work for and the supervisory activities (need to make some friends in the IT control industry). If you're not sure you can get around these safety rules, don't risk it.
- There are free programs you can install, such as "virtual desktops", which allow you to have two activities on the same computer (one for work and one for play) that you can select and swap with a touch of the keyboard when you hear the supervisor's step push forward.
- To prevent someone from constantly watching what you do on your computer, you can position the monitor in such a way that it blocks the view of anyone who wants to spy on you (saying, if asked, that you had to move it due to the reflection of the light or to have a ergonomic work).
- It is difficult to get around the IT control staff. You can use an anonymous proxy to browse the internet or use Google pages offline. There are also many programs (many of which are free) designed to avoid any wiretapping. Look for them on the internet.
- When browsing the internet, even with a proxy or offline, never clear your history. Cyber security officers will see that you have deleted the sites. If you leave them instead, they might not even notice given the long list of sites. Eliminating them, therefore, makes everything more suspicious.
Step 8. Talk about personal things away from your workplace
Remember that there is nothing wrong with discussing private things between colleagues - in fact, many managers encourage you to do so - but if you want to discuss a sporting event, your weekend or anything else that is not relevant to work, find a place to do it other than your desk. A good option is to schedule a mock meeting with a friend (so you'll be busy on your email calendar). Reserve a room for the meeting, so you have a private space where you can talk. (Note: Don't do this frequently and try not to show up with a friend too often, or others will know you're getting together.)
Step 9. Visit friends in other offices, making sure your desk looks "busy"
However, make sure you have a topic relevant to the job and check back if your manager is around. For example, tell your coworkers that you are going to check something out with a coworker from another industry. This way you'll have an excuse in case your boss wonders where you went. "Ahhh, didn't I tell you? I wanted to verify that both offices were on the same page with the advertising campaign. I know this is important and I don't want there to be any misunderstandings."
Step 10. Drink lots of water
Not only is it good for you, but it will make you go to the bathroom often, legitimately spending your time while you seem to be busy at work.
Step 11. Make personal calls away from your work station
There is always someone who makes or receives too many personal phone calls at work. Don't be like that, because people will think you're a slacker. When you need to make an appointment or want to talk to a friend on the phone, do so using a phone away from your workstation. Use a phone in the meeting room. Make sure that the room has not been reserved by someone (reserve it for yourself or wait 5-10 minutes after it is released to be able to use it). Bring a pen and paper with you and take random notes so people will think you're making a business call. If there is a speakerphone, use it, but be sure to close the door. So whoever passes by will believe that your calling is business. Keep your feet on the ground. If you put your feet on a table or chair in the meeting room, you will ruin everything because it will be obvious to the viewer that you are not working. Remember that your goal is to look busy, even if you aren't.
Step 12. Always carry a back-up excuse
If you leave the desk, take a document with you to read. Better to use a "long-term project" so you can always tell that you are about to complete it. If you plan to leave the office to run errands with your car, use a large folder or file as an excuse to sneak the keys. Plan ahead: As you work, put the keys immediately in the folder or file, along with the other sheets. Then, when you're ready to leave, grab the folder and go. If you search for your keys, the sound of the keychain will make you discover.
Step 13. Send mail to yourself
Opening the mail will take you some time, as you will have to check and read the content. If you don't have a problem with money, use a private courier who requests you to sign the acknowledgment of receipt, so that they believe you are opening an important document and spending time reviewing it (of course, putting something funny in the envelope). Make sure you use a double envelope and write "confidential".
Step 14. Try the Excel games
There are many excel-based games that do not require the installation of an additional program and that will only report to the IT security staff the use of the excel program, which never hurts. But keep the volume under control.
Step 15. Read a book
There are many books in PDF format. While if I am looking at the monitor, remember to sometimes pretend to write something or to use paper.
Step 16. Go to the cafe to check the lunch menu
Take small trips, going to the bar to check the menu of the day. This is a legitimate reason to walk away from your desk and go to a colleague to talk and pass the time.
Step 17. Look for another job
Often, not having enough work can be bad and make you particularly demoralized in your career path. In this case it is good to look for a more interesting job elsewhere instead of continuing to pretend to be busy.
Advice
- Turn off the screensaver or increase the time to enable system suspend so it doesn't feel like you're too far away from your desk.
- Open several applications to fill the screen. Depending on your work, you can use Outlook, Excel or other similar programs. Using Alt + Tab you can switch between windows, so you can browse the internet and then switch, when necessary, to work applications.
- In a less technical field (for example in sales) you can only get by by moving a lot and walking fast, especially if you have that spare "project excuse" at hand. When it seems like it's an urgent task, your boss won't ask you what you're doing.
- The more you tap on the computer, the busier you will seem. But check the typing speed. Fast writing is usually used to write e-mails. Reports or other types of work need reflection and more attention, unless you are a professional typist. Remember to use the space bar. The space bar makes a different noise and so if you don't use it, it is obvious that you are pretending to type.
- Do it the easy way. If you are asked what you are working on, always have a simple, plausible and ready explanation for any situation.
- Use Windows + M / Windows + D to make the desktop appear on the monitor immediately. Do this quickly to hide what you were doing before, giving the impression of being immersed in work.
- If you get caught doing things (WHILE YOU WERE AT THE COMPUTER) for which you are unpaid … just say that you were mentally preparing to discuss job gaps and the need to increase your responsibilities with your boss.
- If you are doing a job that requires a certain number of phone calls per day / week / month, call your bank or helpline and have them put on hold. Sometimes it can take 20 minutes before you talk to someone, and when that happens, they often put down the call. This way, time will pass and it will seem like you are very busy calling to get customers to buy. It does not apply if the calls are monitored.
- If they catch you talking amicably with colleagues… just say you were trying to find some material to review during the split hours and want to talk to the manager.
- As a last resort, you can have your colleague do your job. - This is an ethically wrong thing, for which you will be found out sooner or later. Nobody can "always fool everyone" - Better to give part of your work to colleagues without saying it is yours. Wait for them to go to the bathroom and when they get back tell them the boss was looking for them. Say it dramatically, like 'We have to finish by 3pm or we're not going to lose guaranteed funds for this project!' and watch them work at lunch. Remember to ask for the reports so that you can personally check them for them (if a really nice guy) and then you can appropriate them, replacing their names with yours before giving it to your boss.
Warnings
- These tips work best when used occasionally. If you don't work or produce little, you will be discovered sooner or later. Even if you don't get caught, you won't have anything to prove for your time in the office. Use these techniques just to make the time go by faster, but then go back to work or get fired. [Here is the story of a person who spent a long time pretending to be busy at work a few years ago: Any boss who is a little smart will find you out, if you do it often. The first time my boss said, "It seems to me that you are doing the bare minimum at work!" What an embarrassment! I felt like an idiot.]
- Do not perform outside services, for which you are paid, in the place and time of the office work. It would seem like a really good idea to take care of your second business while you have some free time at work, but it's actually a bad idea. If they catch you, you will surely be fired and often, under the law, you can be sued for damages.
- Never brag about these things at work - it can happen that the people you talk to sooner or later find themselves working for the same company as you or know someone who works there.
- You can turn off the screensaver to give the impression that you haven't been away in a long time, but by doing so, others may be using your computer. If someone has access to your computer, you will be held accountable for their actions. Alternatively, you can lock the screen by pressing Windows + L.
- If you want to download programs so you don't get caught, do it while your computer Not is monitored. Some administrators have programs installed that monitor employee activities in real time.
