Looking busy, but not productive the cost of clock-botching in the workplace скачать в хорошем качестве

Looking busy, but not productive the cost of clock-botching in the workplace

Thato Makoaba, Associate in the Employment Law practice, recently joined Uveka Rangappa on eNCA to discuss 'Looking busy, but not productive: the cost of clock botching in the workplace.' Thato explains that “clock botching” is a new workplace buzzword describing employees who are physically present and appear busy but are not meaningfully engaged in their work. She explained that it occurs when someone shows up and looks occupied but has mentally checked out. An example of this behaviour is when an employee stretches a task that should take an hour over an entire day. Thato emphasised that such behaviour isn’t always intentional; rather, it can signal deeper issues such as stress, disengagement, lack of support, or mental health challenges. Research shows that 36% of the South African workforce experiences severe daily stress, and 71% are actively disengaged, highlighting the urgency for employers to recognise and address the problem. Thato also stressed the importance of fostering a culture of open communication and psychological safety, where employees feel comfortable raising concerns about workload, engagement, or support. She noted that when employees feel heard and supported, they are less likely to disengage, allowing employers to address “clock botching” before it becomes entrenched.