I recently was reading some content on productivity, as expected 😅 (if you know, you know) when I learned of a new phrase “fake work”.  Of course, I know the individual meaning of those words, but I was more intrigued by them when used together. 

Good Morning Millenial readers, today let’s talk about something that’s been affecting our work culture for so long. 

What is Fake Work?

Well, according to my research, the term “fake work” typically refers to tasks or activities that may appear productive or important but do not contribute significantly to achieving meaningful outcomes or advancing genuine progress. It refers to work that lacks substance, value, or purpose, often serving as a form of busyness without actual productivity.

Whew! That description alone is enough to make me want to end my article here, but I won’t. Truth be told, however, this is one of the realest statements in the Millennial and Gen Z culture that I have ever come across. Anyhoo, let’s move on.

So fake work can manifest in various ways, such as engaging in unnecessary meetings, excessive paperwork, bureaucratic processes, or performing repetitive tasks that could be automated. It can also involve focusing on trivial or insignificant matters instead of addressing critical issues or strategic goals (let me go ahead and highlight this as it’s crucial). This habit is very deceitful to a person whether you are an employer or an employee.

What Causes Fake Work Culture?

There are several factors that can contribute to the prevalence of fake working, let me identify some of them below;

  • Lack of clear goals and priorities: When there is a lack of clarity regarding organizational goals and priorities, employees may engage in activities that do not align with the overall objectives. This ambiguity can lead to the proliferation of fake work.
  • Bureaucracy and excessive procedures: Organizations that have complex bureaucratic structures or rigid processes often generate unnecessary paperwork or administrative tasks that do not add value. These procedures can create a culture of fake work, where employees are occupied with non-essential activities.
  • Poor communication and coordination: Inadequate communication channels and coordination among team members can result in duplication of efforts or working on tasks that have already been completed. This redundancy can contribute to fake work as individuals are unaware of the progress made by others.
  • Fear of taking risks: In environments where risk aversion is prevalent, employees may engage in busywork to avoid potential mistakes or failures. This can lead to a focus on low-value tasks rather than pursuing innovative or challenging endeavours.
  • Lack of accountability: When there is a lack of accountability and performance measurement, individuals may engage in fake work without facing consequences. This can occur in organizations with ineffective performance evaluation systems or cultures that do not emphasize results.
  • Technology distractions: With the increasing use of technology, distractions such as excessive emails, social media, or other online activities can divert employees’ attention from meaningful work. These distractions can contribute to fake work by consuming valuable time and attention.

I know I have represented the above from an organisation’s perspective but rest assured this also affects us Millennials and Gen Zs from an individual perspective. You don’t need to be employed to be pulling off a fake work habit, you could easily be doing that to your education, chores at home or even your personal commitments. Today’s article was meant to bring awareness of fake work to you as an individual or as an employer, hopefully, you can decide to intentionally do something about it now that you know. 

Join me next time as I look into some ways of mitigating fake love so that you can increase your productivity at work. 

Don’t forget to leave a comment down below 😉

Noanne ❤❤❤