Advise - time cards and red tape

Hi — been at Raytheon for less than a year.

Got a 1.5% raise(everyone got the raise). Feel like my assignments have been slowing down. 3x I have asked for extra work from my manager, functional manager, and team leads.

2 weeks ago - I asked my direct manager for more assignments in the future —- says that the Department manager and thyself were figuring out assignments for the future.

I just feel weird because my assignments don’t take that long to finish — at least my portion, so while I wait for assignments to get feedback — which could be weeks — I am stuck just fiddling my thumbs —

The only time my manager gets on my case is if I actually put in AA or if I don’t fill in my time card at the end of the working week

I am stuck just fiddling my thumbs —

I know most people probably really only work 5-6 hrs a day and fill their day with bull.

Is this how the red tape machine works?