Why your coworker is pretending to be so busy

Morning commuters pass the New York Stock Exchange, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

Richard Drew/Associated Press

• Worries about layoffs and AI taking jobs could push workers to engage in productivity theater.
• It's the act of demonstrating busyness to look good in front of higher-ups at work.
• Yet looking busy and actually being productive aren't always the same thing.

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