Worker Suggests 'Mouse Jiggler' Hack to Anyone Being Tracked by Their Boss While Working From Home

When @thecorporatemama posted a satirical video poking fun at toxic managers who closely surveil how often their employees appear idle on virtual workspaces like Slack and Teams, @adriannarebekah replied with the work hack of a lifetime.

@adriannarebekah #stitch with @thecorporatemama #workfromhome #wfh #wfhlife #wfhhacks #wfhcheck #wfhstruggles #wfhproblems #MaiselChallenge #MakeItGucci ♬ original sound - Adrianna Ortiz

@adriannarebekah's went viral, gaining 10.8 million views, 1.7 million likes, and 12.3 thousand comments in less than two weeks. Seems like a lot of people working from home could use a mouse jiggler of their own.

Posted by Mel Dawn

In a follow-up video, @adriannarebekah demonstrated how the “mouse jiggler” works.

It's pretty simple—you plug in the device, place your mouse in the jiggler, turn it on, and take a bathroom break in peace without the fear of getting chided by your boss.

The comment section

Many people in the comments pointed out how the need to use such a device speaks to the dystopian nature of “corporate America."

Others looked past the implications and expressed their desire to own such a useful work hack. “I do the job I am paid to do. Not extra.” Said @ib_homestead_committee. "Therefore I need that mouse."

@lina843 added, “Honestly being in an actual office.. I'm not fully working 100% of my 8 hours while at work so i don't expect WFH folks to either. This is smart.”

Managers also sounded off in the comment section, reassuring others that not everyone who works from home is strictly surveilled by their bosses. “As a manager, I don't track my staff, they are all adults and their productivity and completed goals is what matters to me.” Said @sanfran1980.

“As a WFH manager,” said @swift_birdman_joe, "if y'all are watching your people that close you need a new job."

One TikToker offered another kind of hack for workers who use Microsoft Teams. “Open Teams -> Calendar -> Meet Now -> Start a Meeting -> set your status to whatever you want and it won't change.” Said @spacejell.