Lazy job girl

The fact that the media often creates catchy terms and somewhat far-fetched, quasi-sociological phenomena, we have long been convinced. However, it is worth looking for the sources of their origin - because as in every legend, in every fashionable term there is a grain of truth. According to a feminist podcast, the trend was started in 2023 by an online creator Gabrielle Judge, on Instagram known as @antiworkgirlboss. This clever provocation does not mean an actual lazy attitude towards work, but conscious choice of responsibilities, which are often associated with more office, regular and predictable work.

The term “lazy job girl” immediately brings to mind her natural opposition, a popular term “girl boss”. It refers to women creating their own careers — often running their own business, taking risks and fulfilling a large range of responsibilities. “Girl boss” perfectly fit into the culture of dynamic development, in which work has become almost the overriding value of life. Perhaps it was precisely the fatigue of this media vision of “all-encompassing women” that led to the reverse fashion. The “lazy job girl” trend shows that both an independent career and one embedded in the more predictable realities of the labor market are Necessary and selectable.

The feminist podcast post also mentioned other phenomena related to “lazy job girl”, such as:

• quiet quitting — carrying out only tasks in accordance with the contract, without excessive activity going beyond the contract,
• acting your wage — adequate efforts and commitment to work in relation to the remuneration received.

However, this is not all observations. Below we present a possible deepening of the subject, comparing it with subsequent sociological observations on the labor market and beyond.

The slow pace of work, or who is the “snail girl” and is it only for women?

Although choosing a job with a clear range of responsibilities and low stress levels is most commonly associated with women, the term “snail girl” describes a somewhat broader phenomenon. This is often the case for Generation Z and people who have decided to quiet quitting, that is, to carry out work in accordance with the contract, without overburdening oneself with obligations.

People who choose more A sustainable path of life They are called “snail girl” - a term very similar to “lazy job girl”. Both terms characterize reduction of work stress and the pursuit of work-life balance.

“Snail girl” is doing chores slowly and without haste. The Polish translation into “slamazary” may evoke negative associations with laziness, but in fact it is an alternative to the “girl boss” stereotype, that is, women who embrace everything and risk their careers.

An important part of this trend is focus on your own well-being, both mental and physical. According to research conducted by Sociologists.pl:

• per 92% of young women the balance between duties and pleasures is important,
• 88% appreciates a sense of security,
• 78% He says that everyone is the master of his own destiny.

This data shows that the trend Deceleration and limited liability, although not exclusive to women, may be of particular importance to this group. This is probably due to the fact that women are more likely to be responsible for the care of children, and pregnancy and the postpartum period are associated with the risk of exclusion from the labor market.

Of course, this thesis would be even more strongly justified if similar studies on men were available. However, the fact that the terms “lazy girl job” and “snail girl” use female characters speaks for itself.

research

If we look at the deeper and, perhaps, more real reasons for the phenomenon of the so-called “moldy, slow girls”, it turns out that the image based solely on conscious choice and preferences is somewhat at odds with reality. Analyzing the labor market for women, we can see that these types of phenomena are linked to a much harsher and more violent social and professional reality. In short: behind the seemingly “free” choice of an easier career path is often hidden a system in which women have limited opportunities for development and lower wages.

To complete this picture, it is worth looking at hard data. According to the latest OECD report (2025), women earn on average about 11% less than men while working full time. In other words: if a man earns €100, a woman earns an average of €89 - despite similar experience and education. In Poland, the data vary depending on the source. One interpretation points to 5.6% of the difference in hourly wages Men and women (report Women in Work Index, 2025). However, Poland ranks higher than countries in the region, such as Hungary or Slovakia. In turn, the data of the Central Statistical Office even indicate 7.8% of the wage gap in Poland.

In addition, studies of the quality of work show that gender differences concern not only the amount of salary, but also the conditions and opportunities for professional development. Women are more likely to work in less stable or lower-paid sectors, and are also less likely to reach top positions, which reflects the so-called “gender gap”. glass ceiling (glass ceiling).

What do women want?

On the occasion of Women's Day last year portal Sociologists.pl conducted a survey in which he asked female respondents what in their lives they considered “overwhelmed” and what still needed improvement. The questions covered various areas: family, education, relationships, wellness and professional work.

Many women pointed to the need for greater financial stability, as many as 68% of the respondents answered. In turn, the highest scores on the side of what is already “embraced” and does not need urgent improvement were on the relationship with the child. This shows that women continue to exercise a significant part of childcare. Comparing this, for example, with a career question, you can see that the results are practically equivalent and There is no radical advantage to either side.. The greatest attention of women still require neglected or more difficult to handle matters: physical health (39%), physical activity (39%) and Securing the financial future (32%).

summary

The “lazy job girl” trend and its close equivalent “snail girl” shows that more and more people, and women in particular, are choosing more sustainable work, reducing stress and betting on well-being. This is not laziness, but a conscious decision in response to wage inequality, limited opportunities for promotion and cultural expectations. In practice, this means carrying out duties in a rhythm that allows you to maintain a balance between work and private life.

Sources:

1. https://www.instagram.com/socjolozki.pl/p/DFBiIUMMegL/?img_index=7
2. https://www.instagram.com/p/DTzbTthjX2C/?img_index=3
3. https://www.instagram.com/socjolozki.pl/p/Czyq_g8Mub2/?img_index=4
4. https://www.pwc.pl/pl/media/2025/polska-na-7-pozycji-women-in-work-index-ranking.html
5.  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11205-022-03035-z
6.  https://www.oecd.org/publications/gender-equality-in-a-changing-world_5a0af5ef.htm
7. https://www.pwc.pl/pl/media/2025/polska-na-7-pozycji-women-in-work-index-ranking.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com