The era of female hustle culture, characterized by women who were driven, unapologetic, and dedicated to their careers at any cost, has long faded away. In its place, a new trend known as the lazy girl job has emerged, primarily influenced by Generation Z. Breaking the glass ceiling is no longer a priority for young women; instead, they value contentment and a lighter workload.
According to the AFP, a lazy girl job refers to an undemanding and low-stress occupation, often administrative in nature, whose true value is questionable. These roles often come with mysterious job titles filled with jargon, which may sound impressive at social gatherings but ultimately involve tasks such as answering countless emails, completing meaningless assignments, and attending numerous meetings. Lunch and coffee breaks become the highlights of an otherwise monotonous and tedious day.
The concept of the lazy girl job TikTok trend shares similarities with the notion of “bullshit jobs” introduced by the late American anthropologist David Graeber in 2013. However, what sets them apart is the focus on women reevaluating their relationship with work and mental health.
Gone are the days of the “girl bosses” in the 2010s who pushed themselves to the limit to prove their worth compared to their male counterparts. Now is the time to reject excessive ambition and celebrate professional mediocrity for the sake of sound mental wellness in the long run.
The term gained popularity after TikToker Gabrielle Judge, 26, shared work advice with her followers in a video in May 2022. She expressed her enthusiasm for lazy girl jobs, highlighting positions that offer comfortable salaries ranging from $60,000 to $80,000, requiring minimal effort. Since then, countless women have taken to TikTok to share their enjoyment of their own lazy girl jobs. The hashtag #lazygirljob has been searched by over 14 million people.
In an interview with Business Insider, Judge explained that she believes more women should prioritize work-life balance, not depend solely on their 9-to-5 jobs for fulfillment, and even consider pursuing side businesses they are passionate about to increase their income. She emphasized the value of individual priorities over company obligations, stating, “Our time is so valuable and should be focused on efforts that align with what matters to us.”
Kierstin Carter, a 21-year-old litigation paralegal in Austin, Texas, considers her predictable and manageable job a lazy girl job. She described her daily routine of answering emails, filing documents, and drafting materials while indulging in her favorite shows on her desktop until 6 pm.
For her, the only downsides are sitting all day and occasionally spending breaks shopping online. She expressed her gratitude for the nature of her job, stating, “I love my lazy girl job,” adding that it allows her to have an enjoyable weekend and start the week refreshed.
One advantage of having a lazy girl job is that there’s no need to overwork oneself just to impress strangers on LinkedIn. The desire to balance personal and professional lives is a common aspiration among many women today. Gen Z’s lazy girl job preference shows that many young women are valuing their free time and prioritizing activities outside of work.
It aligns with the belief that one can lead a fulfilling life without sacrificing personal pursuits or mental well-being. Sinead Sharkey-Steenson, a career coach at Career Elevator, described the lazy girl jobs trend as an enticing dream scenario for those who have witnessed others toil away at jobs without much recognition or reward.
The rise of this new workplace trend reflects a criticism of hustle culture (which promotes the idea that working tirelessly and long hours is the only path to success). It also appeals to those seeking relatable content that celebrates a less demanding work environment.
The author of All The Things She Said highlighted the growing popularity of this trend among Gen Z individuals, who have witnessed the rise and fall of the girl boss phenomenon during their formative years. These young adults, disillusioned with hustle culture and its resulting burnout, prefer the stability of a steady monthly wage while enjoying life within the limitations imposed by capitalism.
The trend finds support in a Workspace Technology poll, which revealed that nearly half of Gen Z workers would consider leaving their jobs if they were not given the option of hybrid work. In contrast to millennials, who often associate their identity with their occupation, only 49 percent of Gen Z respondents in the Deloitte 2023 Gen Z and Millennial poll held the same view.
This challenges the traditional notions of professional commitment, particularly among young people. However, it does not imply laziness or a preference for easy jobs. A French study conducted by Fondation Jean-Jaurès and Macif revealed that 37 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds expressed concerns about being bored or uninterested in their work.This is where lazy girl jobs find their niche.
Women who grew up observing their parents’ excessive commitment to their careers may not wish to follow in their footsteps, especially if they continue to face gender discrimination and encounter barriers to higher positions. Furthermore, having a lazy girl job does not prevent individuals from succeeding in their roles and meeting the minimum expectations placed on them.
