Person at work on computerAnyone remember the mid-lockdown TikTok fad for “nature’s cereal” – a beautiful selection of fresh produce that, while visually delightful, was basically just a repackaged fruit salad?That’s what first came to mind when I read about “taskmasking” – a Gen Z work trend that I initially felt was old-fashioned dossing off with extra steps. Recruitment expert Auria Heanley from Oriel Partners, a London-based recruitment agency, shared that the trend is “essentially performative productivity, where employees give off the impression of working without actually engaging in meaningful tasks.” But what’s specific (if anything) to how the generation subtly skives off – and is it any different to the sneaky office workarounds employees have used for years?“Taskmasking reveals how modern employees are struggling with outdated work expectations”Heanley agreed that “Taskmasking isn’t just a Gen Z phenomenon – “employees of all generations have been finding ways to ‘look busy’ at work for decade