A debate about productivity online was sparked by an intern’s video about appearing busy when she did not have any work to do.
The video was posted by a user on TikTok. Some viewers wrote that she should look for more work, but others wrote that they were in the same position and had no work to do.
Only seven percent of employees feel that they are productive in the workplace, according to research compiled by Zippia.
Employees are only productive for an average of 2 hours and 53 minutes a day, according to the organization’s piece. Most employees feel productive because they spend most of their workday distracted.
It takes about 23 minutes and 15 seconds for an employee to refocus.

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In her video, she is typing at her computer
“I am pretending to work at my internship because they have not given me enough things to do yet,” read the text over the video.
She told Newsweek in an email that she recently started working at her marketing strategy internship and filmed a video on a slower work day.
“I was never really having a problem with work since I have only been there for a week and my boss was very transparent about telling me she knows I don’t have much to do yet but they were doing some behind-the-scenes work for my project,” she wrote. Having no idea it would blow up as much as it did, I created a TikTok.
She had more downtime during the first two weeks of her previous internship, and she said her previous internship was similar to this one.
TikTokers Weigh In
Some viewers encouraged Laura to ask for work to be done.
A viewer wrote that they expect you to be proactive.
“Make sure they teach you stuff or you’ll just be sitting in your cube all summer,” one commented. “Just trust me.”
She said she believes she’ll be given more work to do after starting her internship.
Many viewers shared that they were in the same situation.
“TikTok knows that I’m at my desk right now,” wrote a viewer.
“Just clicking through the tabs until I tell them I’m done,” one person commented.
A viewer said that they decided to return to waitressing after working in an office because they were bored.
She should take advantage of the downtime while she can.
One commented, ” Definitely enjoy it, it only picks up slowly, but surely.”
The verified TikTok account for LinkedIn commented on the video, saying “Cherish this time”
After reading the comments, she said she thought many of them were funny, and others found the videoatable.
She said the amount of career advice was hilarious.
Other Viral Moments
Some people have shared their experiences with work on the internet.
A woman took to TikTok last month to discuss her frustration with a job interview in which she said the interviewer told her they wanted to hire someone who was more than just money.
In late May, one man received the support of other users after he said he refused to train the person who was hired for the same position he applied for himself.
A man claims that his manager doesn’t believe in remote work, and that’s what he posted on his account last week. Employees were expected to return to work.