IT Jargon - "Time Stamp"

Time Stamp - to create some meaningless electronic record, usually an email, to prove that you showed up to work today. The record does not represent any real artifact of work or problem solved; it simply proves to anyone keeping track that you bothered to log in. Example of a meaningless time stamp-type message:

Wow, that was a helpful nugget! We sure are lucky to have this guy on our team. He's always on the lookout for new developments.

"Time Stamping" is a behavior common in matrixed, distributed organizations. E.G., you work for a technical department with say, 100 "resources", 1-2 directors who actually sign off on budgets and merit increases, and many project managers with some accountability and little authority.

For the "resources" in such an organization, it can be easy to hide and live by "time stamping" while working from home, shopping online and engaging in self-abuse. Look around, you probably know some "Time Stampers". Or maybe you are one. If so, good for you! Hopefully you are saving the money you are stealing, because the free ride won't last forever.