one of your personal books or notebooks when not in use. Just don't make the mistake of putting it in a folder that might be put back in a public file cabinet. It could be discovered by someone else later if you forget and file it. That could be a big no-no.

Of course, last but not least, is the old stand-by of getting coffee. Be careful of how many coffee runs you take. Only do this when the timing is right or you'll look like a caffiene-addicted slacker. The key is to be nonchalant and blend in with the woodwork. Don't do anything that draws attenti

Good for you, for finishing all your work for the day. The boss is running around, just looking for someone to delegate more work to, but he's so distracted by things that if you look busy he may just pass you by. Here are some tips that worked for my friends and I back when I was a corporate cubicle resident.

Act cool and keep your eyes focused on whatever you're doing. If you look around the room too much, and aren't concentrating, the boss will figure you've got extra time to do something for him. Keep your eyes focused on something, and look like you're concentrating on it. Don't draw attention to yourself, and whatever you do, don't make eye contact with the boss. You wouldn't stare down a rabid dog, the same goes for management.

Have somewhere to go (out to your car, need something from the supply cabinet, etc) and walk there with purpose. Don't hesitate or be too leisurely about it. If the boss is milling about, abruptly go to the restroom, to buy yourself time. He may be occupied by the time you get back with something else, rather than waiting for you to return.

Watch out for "Big Brother" on the computer. Nowadays, most employers have software installed on work computers to watch your every move. Computer savvy people know how to get around this, but I don't. For the rest of us, stay off "taboo" websites, and watch what you type in your emails to friends or it could come back to bite you in the derriere later. Today, work phones can be monitored, too. Use your cellular phone in the restroom, if you must phone someone. Cover yourself by keeping whatever you do or say clean. You never know who might be listening.

Don't get ambushed from behind..watch your back for approaching supervisors. If the boss looks like he may head your direction, think fast and be prepared. Write something, as if you're taking notes, even if you aren't. Or, type furiously. Nothing looks more convincing than typing on the computer. Have dummy copy to type, that if inspected, looks real.

Photocopy something you want to read (keep it clean), then put it within your papers on your desk and read when bored. If it blends in with other photocopied material on your desk, it won't draw attention. Hide it in one of your personal books or notebooks when not in use. Just don't make the mistake of putting it in a folder that might be put back in a public file cabinet. It could be discovered by someone else later if you forget and file it. That could be a big no-no.

Of course, last but not least, is the old stand-by of getting coffee. Be careful of how many coffee runs you take. Only do this when the timing is right or you'll look like a caffiene-addicted slacker. The key is to be nonchalant and blend in with the woodwork. Don't do anything that draws attentio

you're concentrating on it. Don't draw attention to yourself, and whatever you do, don't make eye contact with the boss. You wouldn't stare down a rabid dog, the same goes for management.

Have somewhere to go (out to your car, need something from the supply cabinet, etc) and walk there with purpose. Don't hesitate or be too leisurely about it. If the boss is milling about, abruptly go to the restroom, to buy yourself time. He may be occupied by the time you get back with something else, rather than waiting for you to return.

Watch out for "Big Brother" on the computer. Nowadays, most employers have software installed on work computers to watch your every move. Computer savvy people know how to get around this, but I don't. For the rest of us, stay off "taboo" websites, and watch what you type in your emails to friends or it could come back to bite you in the derriere later. Today, work phones can be monitored, too. Use your cellular phone in the restroom, if you must phone someone. Cover yourself by keeping whatever you do or say clean. You never know who might be listening.

Don't get ambushed from behind..watch your back for approaching supervisors. If the boss looks like he may head your direction, think fast and be prepared. Write something, as if you're taking notes, even if you aren't. Or, type furiously. Nothing looks more convincing than typing on the computer. Have dummy copy to type, that if inspected, looks real.

Photocopy something you want to read (keep it clean), then put it within your papers on your desk and read when bored. If it blends in with other photocopied material on your desk, it won't draw attention. Hide it in one of your personal books or notebooks when not in use. Just don't make the mistake of putting it in a folder that might be put back in a public file cabinet. It could be discovered by someone else later if you forget and file it. That could be a big no-no.

Of course, last but not least, is the old stand-by of getting coffee. Be careful of how many coffee runs you take. Only do this when the timing is right or you'll look like a caffiene-addicted slacker. The key is to be nonchalant and blend in with the woodwork. Don't do anything that draws attenti

Brother" on the computer. Nowadays, most employers have software installed on work computers to watch your every move. Computer savvy people know how to get around this, but I don't. For the rest of us, stay off "taboo" websites, and watch what you type in your emails to friends or it could come back to bite you in the derriere later. Today, work phones can be monitored, too. Use your cellular phone in the restroom, if you must phone someone. Cover yourself by keeping whatever you do or say clean. You never know who might be listening.

Don't get ambushed from behind..watch your back for approaching supervisors. If the boss looks like he may head your direction, think fast and be prepared. Write something, as if you're taking notes, even if you aren't. Or, type furiously. Nothing looks more convincing than typing on the computer. Have dummy copy to type, that if inspected, looks real.

Photocopy something you want to read (keep it clean), then put it within your papers on your desk and read when bored. If it blends in with other photocopied material on your desk, it won't draw attention. Hide it in one of your personal books or notebooks when not in use. Just don't make the mistake of putting it in a folder that might be put back in a public file cabinet. It could be discovered by someone else later if you forget and file it. That could be a big no-no.

Of course, last but not least, is the old stand-by of getting coffee. Be careful of how many coffee runs you take. Only do this when the timing is right or you'll look like a caffiene-addicted slacker. The key is to be nonchalant and blend in with the woodwork. Don't do anything that draws attenti

hed from behind..watch your back for approaching supervisors. If the boss looks like he may head your direction, think fast and be prepared. Write something, as if you're taking notes, even if you aren't. Or, type furiously. Nothing looks more convincing than typing on the computer. Have dummy copy to type, that if inspected, looks real.

Photocopy something you want to read (keep it clean), then put it within your papers on your desk and read when bored. If it blends in with other photocopied material on your desk, it won't draw attention. Hide it in one of your personal books or notebooks when not in use. Just don't make the mistake of putting it in a folder that might be put back in a public file cabinet. It could be discovered by someone else later if you forget and file it. That could be a big no-no.

Of course, last but not least, is the old stand-by of getting coffee. Be careful of how many coffee runs you take. Only do this when the timing is right or you'll look like a caffiene-addicted slacker. The key is to be nonchalant and blend in with the woodwork. Don't do anything that draws attenti

one of your personal books or notebooks when not in use. Just don't make the mistake of putting it in a folder that might be put back in a public file cabinet. It could be discovered by someone else later if you forget and file it. That could be a big no-no.

Of course, last but not least, is the old stand-by of getting coffee. Be careful of how many coffee runs you take. Only do this when the timing is right or you'll look like a caffiene-addicted slacker. The key is to be nonchalant and blend in with the woodwork. Don't do anything that draws attention.

Look around you and see what everyone else is doing, then adapt the best you can. There may be others in your work group who are doing the same thing. If so, have a "lookout network" to alert one another if management is approaching. The boss always stresses teamwork, well, there's a good way to use it. Use tact and enjoy having a momentary break in the hassle of responsibility. Soon enough, there will be a new pile of work on your desk.