What do you do at work when there's nothing to do?

[air914]

Okay so I already had a thread about how I hate my job and discussed some options...... BUT I thought maybe some people had some entertaining ideas for what you do when there's nothing to do at work

I'm pretty much on here, search a cake website, look at my e-mail, etc..... I've tried to play a few games....

I basically have tried to make it clear to people in different areas of my place of work that I'm free for tasks, assignments, etc.... I don't want to blurt it out at the top of my lungs that I'm basically doing nothing b/c then what if they decide they don't need me at all? I work hourly so I can't leave when I get everything done.... but like I said I don't want to be annoyingly obvious that I've got nothing to do..... I don't want to seem too expendable...... does that make sense?

So I'm looking for fun and creative things to do that aren't very obvious that I'm doing nothing but will still keep me entertained

BTW - I work in Admin, so I'm in front of a computer all day....

[draftermatt]

I am a drafter, so my job is to draw buildings on AutoCAD. So I am in front of a computer all damn day too.

I read a few different forums (mainly here), read the news a few times a day, read local paper obits, if I'm in a political mood www.politics1.com, I design houses for no reason, or myself. I have actually redone the plans from my grandmother;s home.

I have been note to write letters and such to my wife, I listen to the radio.

I used to play a lot of games, but it's too easy to get caught at it, plus I hate setting a bad example.

I'm trying to come up with some new things to do too.

[Sphinx]

Well since I can only get online from 12 to 1, I visit here. After that I wander around our warehouse pretending like I have stuff to do, but actually looking at clothes that I might like. So I write down the style numbers and order it lol other than that I guess I am just SOL

[blas]

I spray glass cleaner on my defect detecting machine and watch the built in vacuum suck it up..........not a good idea but it sure is fun!


I take advantage of my paper booties on my feet and moon walk or do other dances....

Ever since the inside joke about Grey's Anatomy (in my department, we are all suited up like we're brain surgeons, hairnets, gowns, booties, the whole spiel) when I wore pink sweat pants to work and someone said I looked like Katherine Heigl, I go around demanding medical instruments from my coworkers and yell that fresh dead bodies are rolling in.....

[lordlundar]

Nothing to do? There's such a thing?

[Rapscallion]

Moved to General Work Chat - seemed more appropriate here.

Rapscallion

[powerboy]

If I had already cleaned the shop, then I play video games, if no customer is inside. If we are playing a video game, then we will stop and help the customers when they come in.

[air914]

So why do people wait until 4:00 to give you something to do when they know you leave at 5:00??? Especially on a weekend???!! I've been sitting here all day doing NOTHING..... I don't get it how all these projects seem to pop up out of nowhere at 4:00.....

[Lace Neil Singer]

I work on a checkout, so that gives me just 5 things to do:

1. Clean the belts.
2. Open bags.
3. Make paper aeroplanes out of discarded receipts.
4. Chat to other cashiers.
5. Doodle.

[RichS]

At my old job, if everything was caught up, I'd be websurfing.

If I had extra ambition, and we had a bunch of old parts lying around, I'd build a PC from the parts.

[ChicaViernes]

I embroider my daughter's burp cloths and bibs, or any stray pieces of fabric. Of course this would make it very obvious that you didn't have any work to do!

Otherwise, if I'm wanting it to look like I'm doing something work related, I draw in a notebook. This way you can either close it when someone walks by or make it seem like you were making important notes regarding your job

[latenightchild]

Nap behind the counter.
Place lables rude lables everywhere.
Attemt to make ice cream with non dairy creamer
Doodle on the tiny black boards

[Sphinx]

So why do people wait until 4:00 to give you something to do when they know you leave at 5:00??? Especially on a weekend???!! I've been sitting here all day doing NOTHING..... I don't get it how all these projects seem to pop up out of nowhere at 4:00.....

Ooooooohh I LOATHE that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!They do that to us EVERY freakin Friday!(well almost) and I have to stay to write it up and stuff.

And I think its because they know they CAN leave at 5 and you cant.......

[BookstoreEscapee]

Place lables rude lables everywhere.

One of the guys way back when in Store1 got our label maker locked up doing that. But I was Head Cashier so I had the key

When I was cashier and the only one at register and there was nothing to stock or straighten, I'd flip through magazines. Reading the book and movie reviews in People is a good thing for a bookstore worker.

Now there is always something I can find to do. But if I need a break I read here, or check my email, or read Slate.com or some other sites. If I lunch at my desk sometimes I'll play a couple games (usually Letter Linker or Cubis on Yahoo Games, or freecell). Every morning while I'm getting settled and waiting for my programs to load and whatnot, I read Dear Abby and Annie's Mailbox (another advice column), and then check out The Daily Puppy. Later in the morning I check on The Daily Kitten (that one doesn't update until a little after 10, my time). And before I leave I check weather.com since I have no windows and I like to know what I'll be walking out into.

[Ringtail Z28]

I have one of those kind of jobs where it's possible for nothing to happen all day. So I frequently have to find something to do to keep my mind occupied.

I keep light weights (25 pounders) under my desk so I can get a little bit of a workout. It's also highly unlikely someone would steal those because you can't eat weights and bending down to lift anything heavier than a jelly doughnut is murder to my coworkers.

Websurfing, especially this site and Youtube has done wonders to keep me from going nuts.

Doodling is something I've been doing a lot of lately. I've even been somewhat tempted to post some of the crap I draw but I chicken out because I suck at it.

Sometimes I just hide in my car to get the hell away from everyone.