‘Lazy Girl Job’: How Gen-Z is changing the way we perceive jobs today

Mahshamail Khan quit her 9-5 teaching job, where the Mumbaikar says she was being expected to work like a machine. "It was all about 'Don't speak, don't move and complete the task given to you whether it makes sense or not'. There is nothing new to learn in hustle culture," says the 24-year-old. Khan took the first opportunity she got and quit the job to not only become a city-based freelance copywriter but also become a UI/UX and graphic designer. "Companies today treat you like Artificial Intelligence (AI). All that matters to hustlers of the ‘hustle culture' is that they are given the task and do it to their full potential," she adds.

Even as the ‘hustle culture' has been propagated by the older generation and seeped down to the millennial generation, the post-pandemic world has brought forward a new idea in work culture to the fore in the last one year. Simply called ‘Lazy Girl Job', the term was coined by Gabrielle Judge, popularly known as @antiworkgirlboss on Instagram in 2023 and has ever since been blowing up on the Internet. Like any other trend, the definition has existed much before the coinage of the term, but it has now brought into perspective a new kind of work culture that is simmering at workplaces or that Gen-Z feel is the need of the hour now more than ever and Khan is only one of them.

What is ‘Lazy Girl Job'?
For those who don't know, ‘Lazy Girl Job' is loosely defined as "non-technical remote roles that pay decently, minimise co-worker interaction, and allow a significant level of flexibility". Unsurprisingly, the concept has received a lot of criticism from all quarters but interestingly, it isn't what it seems like, as it is a version of ‘quiet quitting', which took over the Internet last year, but more than that it is a response to the hustle culture that has been a part of the millennial generation that often leads to an imbalance between work and life, as well as subsequent burnout from work all the time.

Khan opines, "Boomers have a cultural shock seeing youngsters having it easy and figured out for them. They are orthodox in believing hard labour is the only way, and judge anyone who isn't following their footsteps. Although they might be somewhat right with punctuality and discipline in Gen-Zs, they strictly believe in ‘khoon pasine ki kamai' aka ‘hustle culture' rather than productive hours. The idea of lazy girl job itches them."

Khan isn't the only Gen-Z who sees a future in a ‘Lazy Girl Job'. Another Mumbaikar, who wishes to remain anonymous, says with the kind of experiences that they have had in offices, they don't see any harm in having low-stress jobs and in fact would like to work in one too if they ever get the opportunity. "I don't see myself fitting into hustle culture at all. Primarily because of my mental health and my desire to have limited contact with people. I admit I was a workaholic and can be at times because I am one to give 100 per cent to everything," they share.

The Indian office work culture is no motivation either for the Mumbaikar, who says they have seen how people in top posts often don't know how to foster a team and nurture them, and most of the times are ‘thrown under the bus' or made to deal with things themselves. "Somehow, the 'chamchagiri' system is still working and thriving. The people who actually have a spine to call a spade as it is always gets the short end of the stick. However, that is not without exceptions. It is just that the ones rewarding bad behaviour inadvertently are more in number," they add.

Reservations about ‘Lazy Girl Job'
While the ‘Lazy Girl Job' is one that promotes a health work-life balance, the Mumbaikar says it may often sound sexist and women could be at the receiving end for their job choices."While I understand that there are some low-pressure but well-paying jobs, I have a problem with the phrase 'lazy girl jobs'. On a certain level, it feels like a jab for women as well as those working jobs that do not involve much stress and pay well." While the coined term refers to females, it is important to note that it can often extend to men as they are also frequently at the receiving end at jobs but in the larger scheme of things, women have for decades been subject to sexism at the workplace and the reservations of the Mumbaikar, who works as a news professional in the city, are valid.

On the other hand, Khan says ‘Lazy Girl Job' may often be a deception from the concept of productivity. She explains, "Although every girl has a right to live luxuriously, the origin of it should always be productivity. I believe productivity is crucial more than finding shortcuts to earning the life you deserve. Lazy Jobs are just a scam by entrepreneurs to get more labour and hard work done for the youth. Young interns(girls especially) need to be aware of that." It is also why she believes that her current job doesn't align with the concept because productivity is the centre of her personal work culture. "I believe in productive culture, which means two-three solid hours of sweat and blood to your passion project and growing with it. I am looking for a work habit that adds value to my experience. It is neither working like a robot, nor a lazy girl. The ideal job for it can be a digital skill that allows you to meet and experience new altitudes of life," she adds.

Beating the ‘hustle culture'
Elsewhere, Kanchan Zingade, an Aurangabad-based architect, who used to work in Pune, is one Gen-Z who is already putting the term into practice, however, like Khan, she believes if you love what you do, there is no need to be lazy. Choosing to be an architect, the 25-year-old says she has the liberty with her job, which can not only be remote but also flexible. At the same time, it is also what Zingade loves doing, so she isn't technically ‘lazy' about it.

Growing up around older siblings and cousins, she has seen how the ‘hustle culture' has thrived. She explains, "I see the total difference in the work culture. My sibling and cousin are millennials, and I am Gen-Z. The millennials just follow the rules. After schooling, they chose their field of career based on the scope the market has and then after completing their degrees or master's degree, they hunt for a job, get the job,and survive from pay-check to pay-check." However, she is quick to point out that they weren't wrong, only that they chose stability over freedom. However, she has seen her generation just follow the heart. "I believe freedom is more important than anything, and stability and security are the cost of that."

Being a young life coach, Zingade explains, "I have also seen that some millennials are choosing to do what they love after spending some years in the corporate world because of stress and health. So, I also encourage them to follow their heart." It is also why she says that people themselves and all those around them must be responsible in understanding the shift in the generations. At the same time, she reminds that Gen-Z work culture isn't the only right way forward because it may not work in every field.

It is also where the role of the Human Resources department takes on a greater responsibility, all the Gen-Z this writer spoke to believe. Khan believes that HR departments in companies need to focus on the inclusion of employees and work. They also need to assign the workers the task they are skilled at, and at the same time fluctuating with the needs of employees is good for the health of any organisation. On the other hand, the news professional adds, "HR professionals need to be playing a more active role in understanding the shift from millennials to Gen Z work culture because if they want to induct more new hires, they will have to understand how the paradigm is shifting and adapt accordingly."

Evolving with the changing times
Neha Mer has been in the midst of it all as she has been dealing with both the generations occupying a chunk of the current workforce in India and in her career till now. Being an HR professional for 13 years, the Mumbaikar has seen and hired a diverse workforce over the years at every level. She explains, "We have leaders with traditional expectations of long work hours, while younger leaders are embracing a shorter workweek, reflecting a shift in cultural norms."
Beyond that, she has also observed how the change is happening in front of her, especially from two different generations - millennials and Gen-Z. "There is a noticeable difference between millennials and Gen-Z in their approach to work. Gen-Z seems eager to explore various opportunities, valuing higher pay and a shorter workweek. In contrast, millennials appear more focused, clear about their career goals, and generally more dedicated."

With this, she believes Gen-Z is understandably and undeniably influencing the job market today. She explains, "They are influencing the perception of work culture and challenging the traditional 'hustle culture.' While I advocate for work-life balance, success lies in a balance between working smart and hard, aligning personal and professional goals."

Even as Gen-Z has entered the job market, Mer is honest to admit that Indian companies are still adapting to the evolving work goals of Gen Z. "There is a gap that needs bridging, and it will take some time for organisations to align their practices with the preferences of this emerging workforce," she adds. It is also why Mer believes that every company's human resource department plays a crucial role in understanding and adapting to the shift from millennial to Gen-Z work culture.She suggests, "Developing strategies that prioritise employee satisfaction, align with company goals, and address the unique needs of Gen-Z talent is essential for the success of any organisation."