Fauxductivity—busyness at work that creates the illusion of productivity—has become a significant issue. Employees across industries are spending hours each week on things like excessive meetings and emails just to appear active. Our survey of 1,003 employed Americans uncovers how widespread fauxductivity is, its financial toll on businesses, and its impact on employee well-being.
- 72% of employees engage in fauxductivity, with Gen Z (83%) the most likely to do it.
- Gen Z workers spend an average of 7 hours per week (15 days per year) on fauxductivity, more than millennials (13 days) and Gen X (11 days).
- Finance employees are the most likely to engage in fauxductivity (84%), followed by those in education (76%) and retail (75%).
- Companies lose an average of $9.5K per employee annually due to fauxductivity.
- 59% of employees feel pressured to appear busy at work, with Gen Z (72%) experiencing it the most.
- Nearly 1 in 4 employees are considering quitting due to unrealistic workplace expectations, and Gen Z (33%) is the most likely to do so.
- 60% of employees who engage in fauxductivity are burnt out.
Appearing productive at work without creating any real value is a big issue across industries. Employees admit to spending hours each week on performative work, from too many meetings to constant messaging. See just how much time is lost to these unproductive tasks.
Many employees (72%) admitted to engaging in fauxductivity, with Gen Z leading at 83%. The issue was particularly common among finance (84%), education (76%), and retail (75%) workers. Other affected industries included healthcare (73%), technology (72%), and marketing (70%).
Hybrid workers (75%) and fully in-office employees (72%) were more likely to engage in fauxductivity than remote workers (68%). Employees (73%) were also more prone to fauxductivity than managers (68%).
When broken down by generation, Gen Z employees reported wasting the most time—an average of 7 hours per week, which equals 15 days per year. Millennials followed with 13 days wasted annually, while Gen X employees lost 11 days to fauxductivity each year.
But how do employees actually spend their time at work? The most common activities—whether productive or not—offer insight into how fauxductivity takes shape in the workplace.
Over-documentation stood out as a major time drain. More than half of Gen Z employees (54%) admitted to excessive documentation, compared to 43% of millennials and 36% of Gen X workers. Unnecessary overtime was another frequent practice, with Gen Z the most likely to work longer hours even when their tasks were complete (37%), surpassing both millennials and Gen X employees (29%).
But fauxductivity isn't just driven by individual behaviors. Workplace policies and practices also fuel it. Employees cited these as the top factors driving performative work:
- Frequent or excessive meetings (44%)
- Unclear goals or expectations (38%)
- Leadership oversight and check-ins (38%)
- Micromanagement (34%)
- Excessive documentation requirements (33%)
These policies create environments where employees feel the need to appear busy rather than focus on meaningful work. In fact, 51% of employees said fauxductivity prevented them from doing valuable tasks for their company—an issue most strongly felt by Gen Z (58%).
Fauxductivity wastes time and costs companies significant money. Lost employee and manager productivity turns into real financial losses, affecting businesses across industries.
On average, companies lose $9,500 per employee each year due to fauxductivity. Although Gen Z spends the most time on unproductive tasks, their lower average salary ($51,825) results in the smallest financial loss—$7,800 annually per employee.
In contrast, Gen X spends the least time on fauxductivity but generates the highest financial losses, costing companies $10,300 per employee annually due to their higher average salary of $68,510. Millennials and baby boomers fall in between, with losses of $9,800 and $9,300 per employee each year, respectively.
Fauxductivity is a contributing factor to employee frustration and burnout. Many workers feel pressured to engage in performative busyness, leading to exhaustion and disengagement.
A majority of employees (59%) said they feel compelled to look busy at work, with Gen Z experiencing the highest pressure at 72%. This expectation was strongest in office settings: 63% of fully in-office employees reported feeling this pressure, compared to 57% of hybrid workers and 52% of remote employees.
Beyond daily stress, unrealistic workplace expectations are pushing employees to consider leaving their jobs. Nearly 1 in 4 employees were thinking about quitting due to the constant demand to appear busy, with Gen Z being the most affected (33%). Over half of Gen Z workers (54%) also wanted employers to focus on actual productivity rather than performative work.
Among employees who engaged in fauxductivity, 60% reported feeling burnt out, compared to 44% who didn't. The emotional toll was evident, with those engaging in performative work more likely to feel frustrated (67% vs. 47%) and indifferent (60% vs. 34%).
Gen Z struggled the most with motivation. Only 43% of Gen Z employees who engaged in fauxductivity felt inspired at work—the lowest rate among all generations. Overall, fauxductivity was linked to lower motivation, as just 53% of those engaging in it felt motivated, compared to 67% of those who didn't.
Disengagement was another major consequence. Among Gen Z employees who engaged in fauxductivity, 64% felt indifferent about their jobs, and 60% said they were disengaged. Overall, 67% of employees who engaged in fauxductivity reported feeling disengaged—more than double the rate of those who avoided performative work (30%).
Fauxductivity is a drain on businesses and employees alike. While companies lose thousands per employee each year, workers struggle with burnout and disengagement due to performative work expectations. Addressing fauxductivity requires shifting workplace culture to prioritize meaningful work over busyness. By eliminating unnecessary tasks and setting clear performance metrics, businesses can improve efficiency, enhance employee well-being, and ultimately drive real success.
Methodology
We surveyed 1,003 employed Americans to explore how much time they spend on unproductive tasks. The generational breakdown was as follows:
- Gen Z: 15%
- Millennials: 53%
- Gen X: 27%
- Baby boomers: 5%
The data was collected in February 2025.
About Software Finder
Software Finder helps businesses make informed decisions by providing a platform to compare, evaluate, and select software tailored to their needs. With detailed reviews, personalized recommendations, and expert guidance, we connect companies with the right tools to improve productivity and growth. From healthcare to project management, Software Finder offers a solution for every industry.
Fair Use Statement
You may share this data for noncommercial purposes if a link to the page is provided.