17 Things We All Secretly Do at Work But Won’t Say Out Loud
Did you know the average person spends 90,000 hours at work over the course of their life? That equates to almost 1/3 of their life!
But, I think we can all admit that “maybe” we don’t spend every working hour diligently working. I’ve been known to sneak a little peak at my phone, or sneak away for a snack break.
We’ve gathered the most common ways employees admit using to get out of handling their work responsibilities.
1. Scheduling Fake Meetings
Need a solid excuse not to show up to literally anything work-related? Schedule a fake meeting! No boss can argue with you if you have an important meeting you just can’t get out of!
2. Strategically Planning Bathroom Breaks
Admit it, you hide in the bathroom from time to time. So do I! Sometimes, its the only place you can get a little peace and quiet in a chaotic office.
3. Procrastination
Have you ever caught yourself looking blankly at a screen while seeming to think deeply? You’re really simply keeping track of the minutes till noon. It’s okay; all of us can do it!
4. Sneaking a Peek at Social Media
We’ve all been there – a quick scroll through Instagram or a peek at Twitter when the boss isn’t looking. It’s our guilty pleasure, our little escape from the monotony of the workday grind. After all, who can resist the allure of cute animal videos and memes? Or, you could just hang out reading your favorite travel site (hint, hint)
5. Daydreaming About Vacation
As the minutes drag on and the pile of paperwork grows taller, it’s only natural to let our minds wander to sandy beaches and exotic destinations. Whether it’s planning our next adventure or imagining ourselves lounging by the pool, a little daydreaming can be the perfect antidote to workplace boredom.
6. Pretending to Look Busy
Sometimes, we find ourselves in those awkward moments when there’s nothing left to do but pretend to be engrossed in our work. We furrow our brows, furiously typing away at our keyboards, and hope no one notices we’re just staring blankly at the screen.
7. Stealthy Snacking
Who hasn’t snuck a snack or two at their desk when hunger strikes? Whether it’s a clandestine candy bar or a covert cookie stash, sometimes a little mid-afternoon munching is what we need to power through the day.
8. Overly Dramatic Coffee Breaks
Ah, the sacred ritual of the coffee break – a chance to escape the confines of our cubicles and indulge in a steaming cup of liquid motivation. But let’s be honest – sometimes, we take our coffee breaks to the next level, lingering a little too long in the break room or engaging in some impromptu gossip sessions.
9. Playing the Waiting Game
Whether it’s waiting for the clock to strike 5 p.m. or counting down the minutes until lunchtime, we’ve all found ourselves watching the clock at work. It’s a universal pastime, a silent rebellion against the relentless march of time.
10. Exaggerating Our Accomplishments
In the high-pressure world of work, it’s tempting to embellish our accomplishments from time to time. Maybe we stretch the truth on our resumes or inflate our contributions to the latest project. Hey, a little self-promotion never hurt anyone, right?
11. Crafting the Perfect Out-of-Office Reply
The art of the out-of-office reply – a chance to showcase our wit and charm to the world. Whether it’s a clever pun or a humorous anecdote, crafting the perfect auto-reply is a task we take very seriously.
12. Sneaking a Nap
Let’s face it – sometimes, we’re just plain exhausted. Whether it’s a quick power nap at our desk or a covert snooze in the bathroom stall, stealing a few moments of shut-eye can be the ultimate act of self-care.
Working in a dental office, I used to lay the chair back, turn off the lights, and sleep during lunch!
13. Sending After-Hour Emails
Sending emails after office hours – it’s a sneakily satisfying way of signaling dedication without actually working overtime. Crafted at 4 pm but sent at 9 pm because who doesn’t love to look like a workaholic?
14. Pretend Phone Calls
A fake phone call to avoid small talk? It’s a classic move. Just nod and smile, and no one will ever know. Remember, you’re not avoiding people; you’re simply embracing technology!
15. Blaming Technology for Our Mistakes
Oops, did we accidentally hit “reply all” on that email? Or maybe we “accidentally” spilled coffee on the keyboard? Hey, sometimes technology has a mind of its own, right? It’s not our fault—blame the glitchy software.
16. Faking Illness to Get Out of Meetings
We’ve all been there – dreading yet another endless meeting and concocting elaborate excuses to get out of it. Whether it’s a sudden bout of “food poisoning” or a mysterious “doctor’s appointment,” sometimes we’ll do anything to avoid another hour trapped in the conference room.
17. Secretly Competing with Co-workers
Whether vying for the corner office or subtly trying to one-up our colleagues, a little healthy competition is par for the course in the workplace. After all, who doesn’t want to be the office MVP?
