Q&A for How to Look Busy at Work Without Really Working

Just pretend to be paying attention or working hard on an assignment. She won't bother you if she thinks you're doing what you're supposed to be doing.

If no one is around, read the article. The second you hear someone coming towards you, switch to another tab that is work related. The same applies to other sites.

Always visually follow the teacher or what he/she is looking at.

Always have something that you can say you have been working on, even if you weren't working on it. If you're on a computer, have several work tabs open and delete the procrastination tabs when a teacher comes by.

Depending on what kind of work you do, and what you are wanting to do, always keep your 'work' facing away from your boss. Never wear headphones in both ears; always keep one ear open so you can hear if he/she calls or wants to ask you something. Always interact with your 'work' once in a while so it looks like you're busy. Move your mouse around and click random parts of the screen; write random words on paper.

Delete your search history or go incognito. The best bet is to use a VPN. The one I use is SetupVPN. You can choose your network, so there are no restrictions at all.

Yes, and it's pretty simple. Come home and say, "Look mom, (or dad) I learned ______ today!" Maybe bring home one of your textbooks or writing books and show them what you've done and start explaining what you learned.

Start working on something and look really focused on it. Then, if you're lucky, no one will ask about it.

You can have multiple tabs open and when someone comes towards you, quickly go to another tab. Or just finish your work really early so that you can have an excuse for when people ask you what you're doing.

You can put yourself in full screen mode so the teacher cannot see your tabs. Use the shortcut on the keyboard to switch between your play tab and your half done work tab.

Open the tab when she is at the opposite side of the room or just don't do it.

Act proud and boast about it for 5 minutes but then act tired.

Act a bit irritated that you are trying to work. And act busy for a minute, then look at the person.

Keep your assignment open on one tab and your fun one open in another. It also helps to open a lot of tabs at once, so if she glances at your screen she won't be able to read what your other tab is. Find a place to sit where your computer is facing away from your mom if you can't work in your room. Learn the shortcuts to switch tabs easily, and do some work so every time she checks you will have a little more done.

Use something you would be working on. If you're at work, open up a spreadsheet with information already in it or anything else related to what you should be working on. If you're at school, use a Google document, the school website, or something related to the assignment. For example, In geometry class, you might search for the cosine formula.