Updated September 2026: in 2019 my manager was away for two days, the whole team had no work, and we spent office hours playing Bingo until a colleague refused to join. I have rewritten it into advice on using idle days at work productively, without pretending.
With my manager on leave and nothing assigned, the team had fun playing Bingo during office hours. The next day he was away again, there was still no work, and we planned another round. Then a colleague put a stop to it, saying she was not interested.
Is it a problem to have fun on idle days?
A little light relief is harmless, and it can help a team bond. The risk comes when idle time becomes visible idleness, especially if it continues for days. Managers and other teams notice, and it can affect how the team is seen when work is allocated.
What should you do when the whole team has no work?
- Tell someone: a message to your manager, even while they are away, noting that you are available.
- Check the pipeline: ask account teams whether anything is coming.
- Improve shared material: refresh the team's templates and repository.
- Learn: start a course or certification that suits your accounts.
Why did one colleague's refusal matter?
Because it is often one person who resets a group's habits. She may have been worried about how it looked, or simply preferred to use the time differently. Either way, it is a reminder that group behaviour on idle days reflects on everyone.
How can a team use idle days together?
Run an informal knowledge session: one person walks through a recent proposal, others ask questions. Or tidy the repository together, with each person taking a topic. These are social and useful at once.
Are idle stretches a warning sign?
A day or two, no. Weeks of team-wide idleness can signal fewer opportunities in the pipeline. If it continues, ask your manager about the outlook, and make sure your skills stay current.
What does a manager's absence change?
Nothing about expectations. Work done while the manager is away is often noticed more, not less, when they return.