The ghostworking trend is reshaping modern workplaces. A staggering 92% of employees now job hunt during working hours, often using company devices or time for resume edits, interviews, and recruiter calls. This rise in covert job searching isn’t just a passing phase—it’s a growing symptom of deeper issues in work culture, trust, and engagement. If you’ve ever wondered why your team seems distracted or disengaged, the answer may be hidden in plain sight: ghostworking is quietly becoming the norm.
What’s Driving the Ghostworking Trend in 2025?
Burnout, lack of purpose, and job insecurity are fueling this silent shift. Studies show that workers often engage in productivity theater—appearing busy without real output—just to avoid scrutiny. According to Asana’s Work Innovation Report, 65% of employees admit to faking busyness, while nearly a quarter actively apply to jobs on company time. Remote work has blurred the line between personal and professional life, making ghostworking easier than ever. With layoffs and economic shifts looming, employees are hedging their bets by keeping career options open during the 9-to-5.
Ghostworking Tactics: What Employees Are Really Doing at Work
Ghostworking goes far beyond the occasional LinkedIn scroll. Employees now regularly update resumes, take recruiter calls, and even attend interviews—often using company hours to do so. Others fake meetings, walk around with props like notebooks, or leave fake tabs open to appear engaged. These tactics are a response to a deeper issue: a workplace culture where employees feel undervalued or disengaged. Instead of addressing root causes, many companies focus on surveillance, missing the opportunity to rebuild trust and meaningful connection.
How Companies Should Respond to the Ghostworking Trend
Rather than cracking down, smart companies are using the ghostworking trend as a diagnostic tool. If large segments of your workforce are disengaged enough to job hunt at work, it’s time to ask tough questions: Are we offering career growth? Is compensation competitive? Do our people feel purpose in their roles? Solutions lie in creating transparent growth paths, offering flexibility, and focusing on performance—not presence. Employees stay loyal to organizations that invest in them. Ghostworking doesn’t have to be a threat—it can be a wake-up call for better leadership.