Jobless employed

In human resources, jobless employed is an oxymoron that refers to employees who have little to no work while remaining employed.^[1] The presence of jobless employed can negatively impact work culture and breed resentment among those who are overworked.^[2] Such positions are seen as a rejection of corporate work culture and an embrace of work-life balance and anti-work.^[3]

The transition to remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with increased automation, outsourcing, and organizational disruption have increased the prevalence of the jobless employed.^[1] Absenteeism, a lack of middle management and disengaged managers enables the issue.^[2]^[1]

Jobless employed may be uncovered through performance audits and business process reviews, and replaced through the use of artificial intelligence driven business process automation.^[4]

The term was coined by Emily Stewart in May 2023 in a Vox article.^[2]^[3]^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Echarri, Miquel (Jun 10, 2023). "How to do absolutely nothing at work: from employee subterfuge to corporate incompetence". El Pais. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c Stewart, Emily (24 May 2023). "How some people get away with doing nothing at work". Money. Vox. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
^ ^a ^b Perkes, Chili (7 February 2024). "Is there a growing distaste for corporate culture?". Flux Trends. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
^ Andriole, Steve (Aug 28, 2023). "Leadership By Process Auditing. The 'Jobless Employed' Right Under Your Nose And AI Just Waiting To Pounce". Enterprise Tech. Forbes. Retrieved 23 June 2024.