'Fauxductivity' refers to the phenomenon where employees appear to be busy or engaged in work without actually being productive. A survey found that half of managers believe their staff are engaging in this behavior, while 70% of workers claim they are not pretending to work. This issue has become more pronounced in hybrid work environments, where employees may feel pressured to demonstrate their activity, both remotely and in the office.

Managers can improve productivity by setting clearer expectations for individual performance. This involves defining what productivity looks like for each role and focusing on outcomes rather than merely physical presence. Experts suggest that having well-defined deliverables and measurable goals can help alleviate anxiety about employee productivity in a hybrid environment.

Managers often struggle with measuring productivity due to a lack of clear metrics for many roles. This can lead to uncertainty about what work is being done when employees are not visible. Additionally, the transition to hybrid work has highlighted gaps in manager training regarding how to define and assess productivity effectively, leading to ongoing concerns about employee performance.