As the article points out, pretending to do work and look busy isn’t new.

It happens for a lot of reasons, and I’m sure I’m leaving some out:

• I’m constantly overworked, and pretending to work will keep something new from being pushed into my lap.
• I hate this company and I’m collecting a paycheck until I can find something better. Who cares if I’m actually working.
• My supervisor has been told by the higher ups that if the workers don’t look busy when they walk by, then we certainly don’t need any more workers (despite the fact that the workload has natural fluctuations and we do need more people).
• I only get paid so much. If there aren’t any tasks for me today, great. They’re not going to get me to ask for more work, or work beyond my job description.
• I’m only doing just enough work to not get hassled or fired (a la Office Space).