In 15 minutes, I get to go home. How do I look busy until then?

[Symarip]

My boss keeps pacing around looking at people. I have 4 files open on my desk and a stack of paper that looks like real work (don't worry - it's not). How do I make it look like I'm doing something without drawing obvious attention to myself?

[QueenOfCalifornia]

1. Just do what I used to do...

Make a call to a friend and act like it is a work related call - it will confuse your friend and make the boss think you are a real trooper.

[Symarip]

2. I thought about that

Sadly, too many assholes have made too many erroneous/non work related calls to out of staters. Granted, the premise would be to make it look work related...

"Dammit, Bill, I need that schematic - STAT!... So are we going to the bar later or what? Hold on... Fuck no, you can't email it tomorrow!!!!"

[redqueen]

3. Look like you're concentrating on something.

Maybe you could be making a list of other ways to spoil the magic of Christmas.... but the look of concentration on your face should sell it.

[Symarip]

4. There's really only 2 ways to do that

Once you tell someone there is no Santa Claus... And then, Jesus is Santa Claus for adults.

I've already done it a thousand times over in the IRL. It just doesn't shine the same way it used to.

[redqueen]

7. Well you've convinced me.

I'm going to spoil the magic for my youngest tonight.

:bounce:

[Symarip]

8. Music to my ears

Though, you could have spared her all the grief and just not lied to her to begin with.

[redqueen]

9. Yes well it's too late for that now, isn't it?

I'm a horrible mother.

:cry:

[MorningGlow]

5. Squint at your 'puter screen

Frown, squint, rest your chin on your hand, etc. I used to do that all the time when I worked for da man--as long as they can't see your screen, you're golden.

[Symarip]

6. Point noted.

I do that too. But the problem there is, if you sell it too well, they'll ask you what you're working and, god forbid, if you need help. When you're slacking off, those are the two worst questions any one person can ask you about.

[MorningGlow]

10. Ew, too-attentive supervisors

:scared: That's nasty.

[sarge43]

11. Hack into the IRS data base and use boss's password. n/t

[Gidney N Cloyd]

12. Call a friend and have the friend call your boss so he has to go back to his office.

(Assuming there's a secretary there to locate him.)

[HCE SuiGeneris]

13. Order pizza to be delivered at the time you get home.

Analyze topping for maximum benefit.

[XemaSab]

14. Open a spreadsheet

Find a checklist of birds of the world on the internet.

Find checklists for every country in the world on the internet.

Go through and delete all the birds you've seen.

Figure out where in the world you would have to go to see the most birds.

Delete all the birds from the top country, and figure out what the second place country after that would be.

Keep doing it until all the birds on the planet are accounted for.

This is good for DAYS of looking busy.