Direct Answer: People fake Slack presence because they do not want every lunch, walk, errand, screen lock, or quiet hour judged by a gray dot. The risky part is usually not wanting Slack to stay green; it is using device hacks like mouse jigglers, scripts, and extensions that can be flagged. A schedule-based presence tool is cleaner because it keeps the signal tied to chosen hours instead of fake mouse movement.

For the practical version, see Keep Slack Active. For the tool-risk breakdown, read Mouse Jiggler Alternatives.

Fake Slack Presence: Why People Do It, Why It Is Risky, and What to Do Instead

Why it happens

Auto-away flips and unclear expectations create confusion. When the green dot becomes a proxy for effort, people look for ways to control it. Some are genuinely working while Slack shows them away. Some are away on purpose and do not want Slack narrating that fact. Either way, device hacks introduce policy and security risk.

Options

Clear working hours + status: lowest risk.
DND schedules: protects focus time with context.
Schedule-based presence: recommended when auto-away flips during real work hours or when you want presence to follow chosen availability hours.

Step-by-step

Publish working hours in your profile.
Use status text to explain focus time or meetings.
Avoid device hacks and unapproved extensions.
Use schedule-based presence if auto-away or presence anxiety is the real issue.

Risks / policy considerations

Avoid scripts, USB devices, or extensions that conflict with IT policy.
Keep schedules aligned with the hours you are willing to stand behind.

Summary: align presence with a schedule, not device tricks. For the schedule-first approach, visit Keep Slack Active or the Slack presence scheduler hub.

Fix Slack Auto-Away (Schedule-Based Presence) — Stop false auto-away signals with a schedule-based approach
What is Slack Active Status? — How the green dot is determined and what controls it

Fake Slack Presence: Why People Do It, Why It Is Risky, and What to Do Instead