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What would you say if I told you that you could keep the same job you’re currently doing for the same salary but cut down your hours to 30 a week instead of 40? Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right? As long as you finish all of your responsibilities on time, there’s no need to be in the office longer than necessary. There’s just one catch: you have to be clever about how and when you skip hours of work, or you might be fired…
4 days ago, Reddit user Reaching-there posted a screenshot on the Antiwork subreddit of someone sharing that they only ever take their laptop into the office, without a backpack. They explained that this is an easy way to arrive late or leave early because they never look like they’re coming or going. This post sparked a conversation with thousands of comments, including many more creative ways employees have discovered to skip work without raising any suspicions.
Below, you can read some of the most genius tactics that were shared, as well as some of the replies discussing modern office culture. I cannot personally endorse any of these methods, but if you’re savvy enough, you might be able to shrink your work week by using them. Let us know in the comments if you have any other sneaky tactics you’ve personally tested, and if you’re on the clock right now, enjoy this “meeting” for the next few minutes. (If you really want to put on a show for your colleagues, it might even help to take notes and look at the screen with a puzzled expression.)
Image credits: Arina Krasnikova (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Arina Krasnikova (not the actual photo)
Image credits: reaching-there
Typically, any job includes an expectation of showing up on time in the morning and staying in the office for about eight hours. But as long as deadlines are always met, is it really necessary to sit there all day? The traditional 9-5 work model has already seen disruption from the introduction of remote work and flexible positions by many companies during the pandemic. So it would make sense for employers to adapt to the changing times, rather than cling to outdated norms. In fact, last year, The Wall Street Journal published a piece featuring six remote workers who actually balance two full-time jobs because neither position requires forty hours of their week. Of course, their employers are unaware that this is happening, but it is possible when a job requires very little time. One software engineer featured in the article mentioned that he was only logging three to ten hours a week of actual work from one position, while the rest of his time was filled with meetings and busywork.
There is also much debate around the globe about whether or not the 40-hour work week should be abolished. One survey of Americans found that 90% believed a five-day work week is outdated, and 98% believed that shifting to a four-day work week would positively impact their mental health. While it’s still gaining traction, the four-day work model has been trialed in various places around the world and has seen great results. Microsoft Japan tested a shorter work week in 2019 and found a 40% increase in productivity. Researchers in Iceland also conducted a four-year-long study tracking employees who cut their work week down to about 35 hours. These workers reported a dramatic increase in well-being “across a range of indicators, from perceived stress and burnout to health and work-life balance”.
I’m not suggesting that anyone makes drastic changes to their work schedule without receiving approval from their supervisors, but I understand why employees want to avoid working more hours than necessary. Today’s culture is so focused on our careers that it can be challenging to squeeze any enjoyment into our days. If the only time you can make a leisurely coffee date happen is while you’re on the clock, I promise I won’t tell anyone. We would love to hear your thoughts on these tactics in the comments below. Have you ever tried any of them, or do you abide by your company’s rules to a T? 
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Adelaide Ross is a writer at Bored Panda. She is originally from Texas and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Acting from Oklahoma City University. In the years since her graduation, she has lived in Los Angeles, Sweden, England and now Lithuania. In her free time, Adelaide enjoys traveling, experimenting with new vegan recipes, taking long walks in parks (wearing plenty of SPF!) and crafting the perfect glass of cold brew.
Justin is a photo editor at Bored Panda. He was fascinated with visual arts and arts in general for as long as he can remember. He was obsessed with playing and making music in his teens. After finishing high school, he took a gap year to work odd jobs and try to figure out what he wanted to do next. Finally, around 2016, he started learning how to use Photoshop and hasn't stopped since. He started working as a visual advertisement producer in 2017 and worked there for almost two years. In his spare time, he creates graphic collages and even had his first artwork exhibition at "Devilstone".
Hey, remember the recent article about stupid work rules that were made because of one annoying person? It’s guys like this that ruin good workplaces for their coworkers. It must be a very relaxed enviornment if no one notices this dude walking out of work in the early afternoon, but you can bet that is going to change once they catch him.
So true
Doesn’t it just mean that the others will have to do the job of the guys that leave early?
Unless the people that leave early are actually just efficient, which is quite possible.
I’m in IT and that’s the difference between hourly and salaried. On most Mondays and the first of every month it’s 10-18 hours because that’s when the work really needs to be done. On a slow day (or I’m inspired so it’s a quick solution), I can be done in a couple hours and tell the boss I’m going home. I average over 40 hours a week but the company saves money by not paying me double time for 16 hour days then pay me to sit at a desk 6 hours the next day just posting to Bored Panda because my work is done. I’m posting at 4:33am because I finished one of those long days and told the boss I’m taking a day off.
The whole thing is based on being efficient and getting your work done and the arbitrary rules about staying in the office until the end of scheduled work day’s at least the OPs point was that
There are people who can’t get a decent job, and these guys are boasting about not giving two ticks about the ones they have. That doesn’t seeright at all.
Hey, remember the recent article about stupid work rules that were made because of one annoying person? It’s guys like this that ruin good workplaces for their coworkers. It must be a very relaxed enviornment if no one notices this dude walking out of work in the early afternoon, but you can bet that is going to change once they catch him.
So true
Doesn’t it just mean that the others will have to do the job of the guys that leave early?
Unless the people that leave early are actually just efficient, which is quite possible.
I’m in IT and that’s the difference between hourly and salaried. On most Mondays and the first of every month it’s 10-18 hours because that’s when the work really needs to be done. On a slow day (or I’m inspired so it’s a quick solution), I can be done in a couple hours and tell the boss I’m going home. I average over 40 hours a week but the company saves money by not paying me double time for 16 hour days then pay me to sit at a desk 6 hours the next day just posting to Bored Panda because my work is done. I’m posting at 4:33am because I finished one of those long days and told the boss I’m taking a day off.
The whole thing is based on being efficient and getting your work done and the arbitrary rules about staying in the office until the end of scheduled work day’s at least the OPs point was that
There are people who can’t get a decent job, and these guys are boasting about not giving two ticks about the ones they have. That doesn’t seeright at all.
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