What is 'busy bragging' at work and why your colleagues might not like it

The study also found that colleagues are less inclined to help those who constantly boast about their busyness.

In today's fast-paced corporate world, many employees boast about being overwhelmed with work, thinking it demonstrates their dedication and professionalism. However, experts suggest this “stress bragging” can backfire, making you appear less likable and less competent to your colleagues.

A recent study published in the journal Personnel Psychology revealed that employees who frequently talk about how swamped they are—what some call "busy bragging"—tend to be viewed negatively by their peers. This phenomenon, dubbed "performative anxiety," has become common in workplaces, but it doesn't have the intended effect.

“This is a behavior we’ve all seen, and we all might be guilty of at some point,” said Jessica Rodell, the study's lead author and a professor of management at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. Rodell suggests that people might brag about their stress to prove their worth, but it often has the opposite effect.

To explore the impact of stress-bragging, 360 participants evaluated statements from imaginary colleagues returning from a conference. While some colleagues expressed enjoyment, the busy bragger complained about the added stress. The results were clear: participants found the stress bragger less likable and competent compared to their more positive peers.

Interestingly, the study also found that colleagues are less inclined to help those who constantly boast about their busyness, undermining the very purpose of their complaints. “People are harming themselves by doing this thing they think is going to make them look better to their colleagues,” Rodell said.

Moreover, Rodell’s follow-up research involving 218 real-life workers showed that stress-bragging can be contagious, leading to burnout and increased anxiety among coworkers. This suggests that one person's performative stress can create a ripple effect, making the workplace more stressful for everyone.

However, the negative perception doesn’t apply to employees who are genuinely stressed. Authentic expressions of stress are viewed more sympathetically and can even make the person appear more competent. “It’s not the being stressed part that’s a problem,” Rodell noted. “If you genuinely feel stressed, it’s OK to find the right confidant to share with and talk about it. But be mindful that it is not a badge of honour to be bragged about—that will backfire.”

This isn't the first time authenticity has been championed over pretense. Previous research from 2018 indicated that humble braggers—those who boast under the guise of modesty—are more disliked than straightforward braggarts.