Goldbricking is when something of limited value is passed off as something more valuable. It can refer to individuals who appear productive but accomplish little, or situations where an illusion of value is created. The term comes from coating bricks with gold to create the illusion of wealth. Goldbricking in the workplace can lead to termination or block promotions.
A goldbricker is a term used to describe an individual or situation in which an effort is made to pass off something of limited value for something that is considerably more valuable. As far as an individual is concerned, the term is usually applied to someone who is creating the illusion that they are productive, but are actually accomplishing very little. When applied to a situation, goldbricking often involves adding some element that creates a perception of value while enhancing the appearance in a deliberate attempt to deceive.
The colorful reference to goldbricking comes from an old practice of taking bricks made from various materials and coating them with some type of gold product. The idea was to provide the illusion that the bricks were actually made of solid gold, conveying a sense of wealth and opulence. Over time, the term has been broadened to be used to refer to any situation where the illusion of value has been projected without there being concrete evidence of that value. For example, a home that has gotten a lot of attention in terms of a new paint job on the exterior and attractive landscaping in the backyards, but which has pretty serious problems in terms of plumbing, wiring, and foundation might be considered a goldbricker.
When people engage in gold poaching, they are usually referred to as gold laborers. This particular application of the term is often used in the workplace, especially in reference to employees who actually do very little but appear to be very busy. Efforts to function as a goldbricker can sometimes be very elaborate and can involve tricking others into doing the job while the goldbricker gets the credit, making it possible to move up the corporate ladder without putting any real effort into the assigned tasks.
In general, a gold farmhand is regarded with some suspicion and perhaps contempt. Even when the individual possesses considerable skills and talents, this can be overlooked if the general perception of colleagues is that one is unwilling to do a large share of the workload. When discovered by employers, goldbricking can often lead to termination of employment, or at least block the path to promotions. On a more casual level, it’s not unusual for even productive employees to occasionally have a day or two where taking on a more casual pace in the workplace can be jokingly referred to as gold poaching.
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