fail watching noun [U]
UK /ˈfeɪl ˌwɒtʃ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈfeɪl ˌwɑːtʃ.ɪŋ/
a workplace trend where an employee tries to spot colleagues making mistakes, normally because it makes them feel better about their own abilities or performance
The new workplace buzzword “fail watching” is on the rise: watching out for colleagues’ mistakes, sometimes with an unfortunate sense of satisfaction, as it can make people feel better about their own circumstances … It’s important to recognize this behaviour and address it early, as it could escalate into more serious issues like workplace bullying if not caught from the beginning.
[goodmenproject.com, 7 December 2025]
lily padding noun [U]
/ˈlɪl.i ˌpæd.ɪŋ/
the career strategy of moving from one short-term job to another in order to gain specific skills and experience
You’re probably sick of hearing about it, but yes, the UK job market is tough right now. And now it seems “lily padding” is the latest career trend to come out of this difficult working situation. “Lily padding” is when you strategically climb the career ladder, focusing on building experience over seeking a higher salary. It’s about supercharging your employability.
[huffingtonpost.co.uk, 6 December 2025]
microshifting noun [U]
UK /ˈmaɪ.krəʊ.ʃɪf.tɪŋ/ US /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.ʃɪf.tɪŋ/
the practice of breaking the working day into short blocks of time so that work can be fitted around other activities
Microshifting describes a workday broken into multiple short, flexible “bursts” of focused effort, often around 45 to 90 minutes, separated by stretches of personal time, family duties, or rest. Rather than clocking a continuous 9‑to‑5, a worker might log on at dawn, disappear for school drop‑off or a gym class, and return for another block in the late morning before finishing tasks in the evening.
[fortune.com, 13 January 2026]