How Did #lazygirljob Start?
The term "#lazygirljob" was created by content creator Gabrielle Judge. In 2023, she published several videos on TikTok discussing difficult working conditions.
Her videos covered a variety of topics like the necessity for shorter working hours, what a healthy work-life balance looks like, the comfortability of working from home and doing simple jobs, and choosing to earn wages that allow a decent standard of living rather than climbing the corporate ladder.
What Does "lazy girl jobs" Refer To?
"Lazy girl jobs" refers to "jobs for lazy girls," which initially gives the concept a negative connotation, but in reality, it is used in a satirical way. The trend aims to promote jobs that allow women to organize their work hours according to their personal lives and not the other way around.
Typically, a "lazy girl job" is an easy, nontechnical, white-collar job that requires little to no specific skills to be performed. The position can be filled by a remote or hybrid-based employee and is generally computer-dependent, either focusing on data entry, administrative tasks, writing, or virtual communications.
Job sectors that fall under the trend include marketing, copywriting, customer support, sales, logistics, virtual assistance, and online tutoring.
It's important to note that not all skill sets and career paths match the trend's criteria. For example, it may not apply to a doctor in residency or a female chef wanting to work in the best restaurant in the city. These jobs demand a different work environment to an employee interested in pursuing a "desk" career from the comfort of their home.
It's also understood that "lazy girl jobs" should not require much physical or mental effort or a specialized skillset. These types of positions are also not coveted for professional development, but rather for comfort.
Where Does the #girlboss Trend Fit In?
"Lazy girl jobs" seem to counteract the concept of the #girlboss, a term used to describe an entrepreneurial and successful woman within the corporate world, who has chosen to forgo her personal life for the time being to pursue professional development.
Another trend that "lazy girl jobs" stands in defiance of is the "hustle culture" that many young employees face, which suggests that workers can fast-track their career goals by working much harder than their position or company requires them to.
This involves putting in a lot of overtime, working on weekends, never taking any personal days, and de-prioritizing any personal relationships that may get in the way of work. The trend has been criticized as promoting a "toxic" mindset around work and typically leads to increased burnout.
It's important to note that the above trends are completely dependent on the goals and lifestyle that each employee chooses to pursue. For some employees, having their lives revolve around work is not something negative, and they choose to work in more demanding, high-pressure environments to achieve career success.
These trends are also constantly changing. It is more pertinent that women across the globe have access to decent jobs with good economic remuneration that allows them to lead the lifestyle they prefer.
A Case Against Pursuing a "lazy girl job":
As with many trends, the "lazy girl job" movement has garnered significant negative feedback from critics calling it a privilege available only to a select few.
This implies that women from disadvantaged groups experiencing various socioeconomic barriers may not be able to "indulge" in a more relaxed working environment and have to pursue demanding roles to fulfill the pressing need to make ends meet. The luxury of choice may not exist for some employees who are simply seeking to survive rather than prioritize any specific personal goals.
Another criticism is that the term "lazy girl" in itself demeans female employees and inadvertently reinforces gender stereotypes, implying that women would rather seek comfort over challenges in their careers.
There is a risk that the trend equates self-worth with lack of ambition, and this may be a result of the antiquated view that climbing the corporate ladder is more important than prioritizing a healthy work-life balance.
Pros and Cons of a "lazy girl job":
- Increased flexibility with remote work opportunities.
- Healthy work-life balance and more time for personal goals.
- Less burnout and avoidance of the "hustle" culture.
- Less mental strain and effort.
- Fair and adequate compensation.
- Not every employee is well suited to remote work.
- Lack of motivation and performing less meaningful work.
- Lack of career progression.
- Automation and AI may make roles obsolete.
- Income ceiling can become capped quickly.
"Lazy girl jobs" and Mental Health:
In recent years, the concept of mental health in the workplace has gained prominence, specifically as a result of the economic and labor crisis caused by the 2020 pandemic. Many career-focused employees were left without work overnight, regardless of the effort or hours of work they dedicated to their jobs.
The "lazy girl jobs" trend aims to discourage women from being part of companies that exploit their employees and allow for unfair working conditions. This also includes businesses that offer their workers a salary that does not match their workload, as well as employers that demand a lot from their staff but do not remunerate them adequately.
The "lazy girl jobs" trend puts mental health at the forefront of the job search, promoting the idea of looking for job opportunities that guarantee a calm and safe environment with adequate remuneration.
Dream Job vs. "It's just a job":
Since the end of the 20th century, the idea of a dream job has been embedded in the business world, suggesting that workers have to climb the corporate ladder and sacrifice personal development for career success.
When Generation X and older millennials entered the workforce, they were able to reach career milestones easily but there was little to no consideration for fair treatment, equitable compensation, and a healthy work-life balance.
With young millennials and Generation Z's entrance into the workforce, the demand for more respectable working conditions has increased significantly. Thanks to the "lazy girl jobs" trend, many employees have begun to see their current position as "just a job."
Employees no longer allow work to become their only priority and seek to perform their tasks satisfactorily without taking any further steps on the corporate ladder and making no extra effort for any company, unless it is part of their personal development plan.
How Does the "lazy girl jobs" Trend Affect Companies?
The "lazy girl jobs" trend can have an influence on the recruitment and talent retention processes, especially for companies that mainly offer computer-dependent roles that ask employees to spend the majority of their workday at their desk.
To prevent these types of trends from having a negative effect on the hiring cycle, it is important for companies to ensure the following:
- Ensure that the company's workflow and operational processes are organized and streamlined, even in unforeseen events.
- Offer competitive salaries in each and every position, regardless of the area or department.
- Ensure that the company's leadership team is well-informed on staff needs.
- Implement remote or hybrid work options where possible, or offer flexi working hours.
- If the company needs to demand more than normal from staff due to a special situation, there should be a reward or additional compensation scheme put in place.
- Ensure that all staff are able to work in a calm and safe environment, regardless of the workload.
- Identify employees who may not be the best fit for the company's ethos and values system.
- Provide employees with professional growth opportunities in a fair and equitable manner.
- Avoid prejudices at all levels of the organization.
What Are the Goals of the "lazy girl jobs" Trend?
The "lazy girl jobs" trend aims to help employees find their perfect working environment, whether that be a four-day work week, a job with a good work-life balance, or a company culture that prioritizes fair compensation. It encourages women to advocate for themselves to achieve their career goals on their own terms.
The trend also seeks to inform companies about what employees may be looking for when applying for jobs, thus improving key recruitment and retention processes.
"Lazy girl jobs" is one of the many trends that discard the antiquated idea of traditional work culture for more fair, equitable, and comfortable working conditions. Although it has been popularized as a female movement, it can be applied to employees of any gender or identity.
How Do I Find a "lazy girl job"?
TikTok content creator Bonnie Dilber mentions that there are several key requirements to look out for when perusing for a "lazy girl job." Before applying for a position, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the role remote or does it offer flexible working hours?
- Is there unlimited or above-average PTO (Paid Time Off) available?
- Are there additional holiday and sick days available?
- Is the compensation offered fair and adequate for your personal needs?
It may also be helpful to research the company that you'll be working for by reading reviews on Glassdoor or other third-party review sites. Check whether previous employees affirm the company's fair and flexible work culture, or if any issues or discrepancies were noted.
It's important to consider the type of work you enjoy doing and if the role you're applying for ticks those boxes. Not all "lazy girl jobs" will require you to simply follow up on emails or copy and paste info — you can find fulfillment in your role if it aligns with your professional goals, albeit less important than your personal development.
Where Can I Find a "lazy girl job"?
If you're looking to find a new position that falls under the "lazy girl jobs" trend, take a look at these general and niche job posting sites for roles in marketing, social media, sales, customer support, copywriting, online tutoring, and administration:
