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USA Today
5 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
What is task masking? Why Gen Z is rebranding quiet quitting
When return-to-office mandates started to rise post-pandemic, many workers who had become accustomed to getting tasks done remotely at home (and at their own pace) were presented with a new problem. In an office, you also need to appear as though you're always busy, which is known as performative productivity. According to Madeline Mann, an expert career coach, that's led to a new work trend for burnt-out Gen Z office workers: 'task masking.' 'Task masking is essentially looking like you are busy doing important work, when it's more to keep up appearances,' Mann explains, noting that this might look like scheduling emails to go out at all times of the day, repeatedly announcing how overburdened you are, filling your calendar with real and made-up meetings and generally prioritizing busy work. According to a recent poll from tech company Workhuman, more than one-third of UK workers admits to engaging in 'fake productivity.' Mann adds that 'task masking' is tightly tied to another workplace trend that gained steam in 2022: quiet quitting. 'You can draw a connection between task masking and quiet quitting because both focus on underachieving and putting in less effort at work.' Unlike quiet quitting (where an employee might start visibly putting in less effort on important tasks), Mann notes that task masking could actually help get you promoted — but could lead to some dangerous situations down the road. Here's everything to know about task masking and how to shift your career approach without burning out. Why task masking is so popular with Gen Z As Mann observes, Gen Z is a decidedly different generation from millennials, Gen X or Boomers in terms of their workplace attitudes. 'When I speak with educators and managers who have seen decades of young people come through, they do note a difference in Gen Z's ability to develop soft skills, and Gen Z's anxiety around human interaction,' Mann says. 'This can be attributed to Gen Z being the first digitally native generation who skipped many of the social interactions that the rest of us have had.' According to 2023 research from the science journal Heliyon, having soft skills — like empathy, communication abilities and flexibility — is critical for getting ahead at work. Still, as Mann says, members of Gen Z are no dummies. 'Gen Z is learning how the corporate game is played, while also watching the corporate game evolve quickly with the increase in remote work, AI and new technology in the workplace,' she says. She points out that this allows them to quickly spot ways to do less work without getting penalized. How task masking can be dangerous As Mann explains, yes — task masking might make you look pretty good in the short run. As for a long-term career strategy? It's problematic. 'Task masking can hurt younger employees because they won't have measurable value and accomplishments to show for their work, which will hurt their opportunity for raises, promotions, good references and strong resume bullets,' she says. 'At a time when each role is being scrutinized for layoffs and replacement with AI, it's important to show clear contributions that lead to results.' How to shift your career approach without burning out Per 2024 research from the journal Asian Management and Business Review, millennial and Gen Z workers who are dissatisfied with their jobs tend to show less motivation and decreased engagement, and they might engage in acts like task masking or quiet quitting. At this point, Mann advises it's important to be honest with yourself. 'If you find yourself avoiding work, having trouble focusing or are mentally exhausted by the end of the day, those are clear signs you are on the wrong career path,' she explains. 'I was a miserable task-masking junior employee working in market research, and then a high-performing junior employee working in human resources because I shifted to a career that played to my strengths.' As Mann explains, you should still try to stay visible where it counts. 'It's not about always being available to the business, but staying visible is important, so focus on doing high-impact tasks,' she notes. 'That includes saying something each day in the company instant messenger that is visible to many people, updating your manager weekly and checking in with key stakeholders across the business monthly. These three actions alone can do wonders.' Depending on your role, Mann recommends presenting your own metrics of tracking to your boss. This will help retain a sense of control (something task masking might've offered you prior), while still being realistic about what you can and can't achieve. 'Try setting up daily or weekly check-ins with your boss outlining what you've accomplished, what your priorities are and where you're stuck,' Mann suggests. The result? 'Your boss will then notice your achievements, help unblock issues, and advise on whether your priorities are correct,' Mann explains. 'If your boss asks you to do something that you don't have time for, ask them which of your other projects should be deprioritized to focus on this new one.' The bottom line, Mann says, is that when you continue accepting work beyond your capacity just to show you're a team player, it might send the message that you weren't all that busy to begin with. 'So this visibility into your workload helps to ensure your boss sees how much you have to work on and is more likely to appreciate it,' she adds. What is USA TODAY Top Workplaces 2025? Do you work for a great company? Each year, USA TODAY Top Workplaces, a collaboration between Energage and USA TODAY, ranks organizations across the United States that excel at creating a positive work environment for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winners. In 2025, over 1,500 companies earned recognition as top workplaces. Check out our overall U.S. rankings. You can also gain insights into more workplace trends and advice by checking out the links below.
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Soft skills vs AI: Why empathy, communication and teamwork matter more than ever
From robotics on factory assembly lines to ChatGPT, artificial intelligence (AI) is as prevalent in major industries as it is on our smartphones. From some perspectives, that expansion is revolutionary; recent studies have found that AI has the potential to provide more accurate medical diagnoses and help make sense of complex and unwieldy data. But AI is lacking in one critical workplace quality: soft skills. 'Soft skills are highly transferable skills that power most of our day-to-day interactions — things like collaboration, communication, creativity and the ability to learn,' says Madeline Mann, a human resources and career strategist. This aligns with the U.S. Department of Labor's findings that emotional intelligence at work, such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking and professionalism, are now essential and precisely the areas where artificial intelligence falls short. Here's why soft skills matter more than ever for the future of work and how they may be the real differentiator in your next job search or promotion. Why soft skills matter in today's job market If soft skills involve things like empathy and communication, hard skills are measurable abilities — such as data analysis, coding or technical writing — typically acquired through training or education. Those things are essential, of course, but they serve as a baseline. Mann uses a doctor as an example. 'The doctors who are most appreciated and have the lowest rate of litigation have great bedside manner. That's soft skills,' she explains. 'Most people don't know where their doctor went to school, but they do remember how that doctor made them feel.' According to 2023 research from the science journal Heliyon, even in tech fields like engineering or logistics, more than 40% of all skills required by employers are skills AI can't replace, including critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving and flexibility. Mann says it's the same for any career. 'Soft skills shape how people experience you, and that can be the edge that sets you apart,' she notes. How to showcase soft skills to hiring managers So, how do you demonstrate these skills when it counts? In an interview, you won't necessarily mention the soft skills you possess, but you can demonstrate them to a hiring manager. The key is to prepare examples from your past roles that show your character. 'Instead of just saying you launched a campaign that increased app downloads, explain your thought process: How did you come up with the idea? How did you get others on board? Did you have to collaborate across departments, navigate cultural dynamics or adjust on the fly when budget or timing shifted?' Mann says. Those small details that demonstrate your ability to communicate and be flexible will make you stand out. 'People land interviews because of their hard skills, but they land jobs and promotions because of their soft skills,' she says. AI can't replace relationship-building Among all soft skills, the ability to build genuine relationships stands out as especially irreplaceable in an AI-driven world. Even when teams are fully remote, the workplace remains a social community, not just a network of tasks. Employees who can forge genuine connections, collaborate across departments and leverage emotional intelligence are becoming indispensable. 'We're entering a phase where personalization is rare, and authenticity is craved,' Mann explains. Her observations have borne out. A study in the Journal of Vocational Behavior highlighted that professionals who engage in networking (especially via platforms like LinkedIn) see better promotions, higher compensation and greater career satisfaction. In other words, networking isn't just a buzzword; it's a relationship-building exercise that machines can't mimic, and it can directly impact your upward mobility and help set you up for a promotion. How soft skills can fast-track your promotion Promotions rely heavily on AI-proof skills, Mann notes. It's not just about doing great work; it's about making sure the right people see it. That's why building strong relationships with your manager, teammates and colleagues across departments is essential. According to LinkedIn's 2025 Workplace Trends Report, managers say soft skills are equally — if not more — important than hard skills. Communication has consistently ranked among the top skills employers seek and was the most in-demand skill in 2024. To raise your profile, Mann recommends staying connected with colleagues across the organization and paying attention to their needs. This awareness allows you to step in on high-impact projects, often before you're even asked. 'The goal is to keep raising your value through relationships, visibility and contribution. The more people who see you as valuable and easy to work with, the more likely they are to advocate for what you want in your role,' says Mann. The human edge As AI continues to reshape what jobs look like, the human edge will come from what machines still can't do: build trust, read the room and rally a team. 'So yes, master your craft,' Mann says. 'But also cultivate likability, strong communication and collaboration to have a successful career.' In other words, the most future-proof skill might just be your humanity. What is USA TODAY Top Workplaces 2025? If you're looking for a job where soft skills are rewarded, we can help. Each year, USA TODAY Top Workplaces, a collaboration between Energage and USA TODAY, ranks organizations across the U.S. that excel at creating a positive work environment for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winners. In 2025, over 1,500 companies earned recognition as top workplaces. Check out our overall U.S. rankings. You can also gain insights into top-ranked regional employers by checking out the links below.
Deccan Herald
17-05-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Study flags chemical contamination risk to endangered Gangetic dolphins
Published in the journal 'Heliyon', the study by the Wildlife Institute of India found that these freshwater mammals are being exposed to a hazardous cocktail of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through their diet.
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Business Standard
17-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Study flags chemical contamination risk to endangered Gangetic dolphins
A scientific study has revealed alarming levels of toxic chemicals in the Ganga river, threatening the health and survival of the endangered Gangetic dolphins. Published in the journal 'Heliyon', the study by the Wildlife Institute of India found that these freshwater mammals are being exposed to a hazardous cocktail of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through their diet. The researchers analysed the dietary exposure risks of 39 EDCs in fish species consumed by Gangetic dolphins. The findings indicate significant bioaccumulation of industrial pollutants such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) in the prey base of the dolphins. Residues of banned pesticides like DDT and Lindane (HCH) were also detected, pointing to poor enforcement of environmental regulations in the Ganga basin. The Gangetic dolphin population has declined by over 50 per cent since 1957, and their range has shrunk by nearly a quarter, despite being designated as India's national aquatic animal. With only five species of river dolphins left globally, all of them threatened, the study warned that India could risk a repeat of the Yangtze River tragedy, where a similar species went extinct due to unchecked human activities. The study attributes the contamination to several sources: runoff from agriculture, untreated industrial effluents from the textile sector, vehicular emissions, poor solid waste management, and rising tourism in ecologically sensitive areas. The effects of EDCs are particularly worrisome as they can disrupt hormonal systems and reproductive functions in mammals, and persist in the ecosystem for long periods. Although toxicity risk quotients based on standard values were found to be low, when analysed against the reference dose --? a more realistic measure of exposure risk --? the dolphins were at a high risk from seven key pollutants -- DEHP, DnBP, DDT, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The study recommended the urgent inclusion of these chemicals in dolphin conservation-monitoring programmes and calls for a scientifically informed national framework to assess and regulate chemical contamination in river ecosystems. The Gangetic dolphin is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, but the study stresses that protection on paper must translate into actionable policy and pollution control if the species is to survive. The research from last year was among several key documents unveiled on a new portal launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to promote access to ecological data and conservation insights.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Like the Yangtze dolphin, the Ganga's own could vanish next: Scientists reveal 39 toxins poisoning this endangered species
A recent scientific study has revealed dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in the Ganga river, putting the health and survival of the endangered Gangetic dolphins at serious risk. The study, published in the journal Heliyon by the Wildlife Institute of India , found that these freshwater dolphins are being exposed to harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) through the fish they eat. Researchers examined 39 different EDCs found in fish species that are a part of the dolphins' diet. They discovered high amounts of industrial pollutants like di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) accumulating in these fish. They also detected banned pesticides such as DDT and Lindane, which shows that environmental laws are not being properly enforced in the Ganga basin. The Gangetic dolphin population has dropped by more than 50% since 1957, and their living area has shrunk by nearly 25%, even though they are India's national aquatic animal. There are only five species of river dolphins left worldwide, all of which face threats. The study warns that India could face a disaster similar to the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin in China, caused by human activities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo The pollution comes from many sources, including agricultural runoff, untreated industrial waste from textile factories, vehicle pollution, poor waste management, and increasing tourism in sensitive ecological areas. EDCs are especially dangerous because they interfere with the hormonal systems and reproductive health of mammals, and they remain in the environment for a long time. While the initial toxicity risk appeared low based on standard measures, a more detailed analysis showed the dolphins are at high risk from seven key pollutants: DEHP, DnBP, DDT, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Live Events The study suggests urgently adding these chemicals to dolphin conservation monitoring programmes. It also calls for a national plan based on scientific research to monitor and control chemical pollution in rivers. Though the Gangetic dolphin is protected by law under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the study stresses that legal protection must be backed by real action on pollution control to save this species. This research, completed last year, was shared on a new portal launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which aims to provide easier access to ecological data and help conservation efforts. Inputs from PTI
