As the nation prepares to celebrate National Lazy Day this Sunday, a spotlight is being cast on the concept of laziness—particularly its evolving role in the workplace.
With social media trends like “Lazy Girl Jobs” and “Work Your Age” gaining traction, the idea of laziness as a pathway to success is no longer as outlandish as it once seemed.
Paul Holcroft, Managing Director at Croner, weighed in on the phenomenon, acknowledging that attitudes towards work are shifting. “While many people pride themselves on their drive and work hard to better themselves, others have different goals, happy to do just enough and coast along,” Holcroft said. “At work, some aim to advance and climb the career ladder, while others do just what they are asked to do.”
Holcroft noted that this approach—arriving at work on time, completing tasks efficiently, and leaving as soon as the workday ends—doesn’t necessarily equate to a lack of ambition. “It’s perhaps not so surprising that people are looking for low-effort, high-reward roles,” he continued. “But the reality is, such jobs are few and far between.”
Burnout is on the rise
The pressures of modern life, particularly the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, have contributed to a growing trend of employees seeking a better work-life balance. Burnout is on the rise, and many are questioning the wisdom of relentless ambition. Holcroft emphasised that finding happiness at work—whether through climbing the career ladder or opting for a more relaxed role—should be the ultimate goal.
“Work-life balance is key to maintaining good physical and mental health,” Holcroft stressed. “Employees sticking to their designated working hours should not raise any alarm bells.”
In an era where viral advice encourages workers to “walk slowly and do the bare minimum—but do it well,” Holcroft warned against the dangers of employers taking hard work for granted. “The truth is, you get out of your career what you put into it,” he said. “But assuming someone who works their designated hours, or in a low-pressure job, is lazy, is problematic.”
Holcroft argued that it’s not laziness but happiness that is the real key to success. “Happy employees are productive employees,” he concluded. “Having a job you enjoy, with an employer who appreciates and mentors you, is essential to both personal and business success.”
As National Lazy Day approaches, the conversation around laziness in the workplace serves as a timely reminder that success can take many forms—sometimes, it’s about working smarter, not harder.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
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