The lazy office worker is nothing new. Pretending to make a phone call, adding some random numbers to a spreadsheet and taking frequent breaks to the coffee machine are just some of the standard ways by which one can pass the time. The problem, however, is when other co-workers decide to join you in your paradise of doing nothing.
Whether it’s because they are more senior than you and suddenly realize that “delegation” is how the best leadership works or simply that the formerly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed workers who have now come to terms with the fact that this isn’t “just a day job” while they pursue what they were majoring in, it’s no bueno when your own simulation of work method is copied.
When the boss finally catches on after a few months upon doing some routine “spot checks” (a.k.a. he or she finally felt like doing something in his or her actual job description just for the novelty), the worst will happen: those cheerleading squad rejects from HR will get involved. And you really don’t want that. It involves far too much of a glimpse into how pod people are formed. Then, of course, you’ll have to pretend more elaborately to work in the future, which, truth be told, can be more of a challenge than actual work.