What's the lowest stress / easiest minimum wage job?

[MegBusset]

If you were going to step down from a stressful professional career and could afford it, what would be an easy / low stress min wage role to fill a few years until retirement?

I've worked low pay jobs before and they've been tedious and / or hard work. Obviously there are many shockingly underpaid jobs that are really hard and stressful (carer, TA etc). But are there ones out there that are straightforward and don't take up much mental effort?

Bar work is enjoyable.

I used to really enjoy waitressing/bar work at a pub. Busy but not stressful and lots of people to talk to.

Checkout operator. Absolutely loved it. Brilliant way to spend 6 months recovering from a major mental breakdown, 99% of customers were so nice and my coworkers were totally epic. Plus staff discount on your food shop! And you get to sit down all day which you don't with a lot of low-paid jobs.

I'm currently working as a shop assistant in a charity shop, paid role for 14hrs. Very low stress and easy work. I'm recovering from hand operations so needed something just like you described!

I liked working in Waterstones.

My friend is an order picker for sainsburys. Doesn't speak to any customers. Listens to audiobooks whilst working

Library Assistant.Pay is terrible but it's generally low stress and you're providing a service people really value.

Have you heard the term BaristaFIRE?

Working in a book shop, bakery, deli or similar. Or if you don’t like customers and want to work from home then proof reading, transcribing or similar

I hadn't but just Googled it and it definitely speaks to me!

I used to do barwork/waitress in a quietish country pub - that involved chatting to the regulars most of the time - especially on an afternoon shift on a weekday. Imagine it's way stressful working a city centre bar on a Saturday night though! Also was a waitress in a cafe - was a 'naice' cafe and on the whole the customers were lovely. Worked in a factory packing salad/veg/stirfry etc- very cold, busy- you had to be quick on the production line and physically fit and on your feet lifting/carrying etc all day- but good co workers so lots of chat/teamwork- oh and 6am starts- but no customer contact!

Sadly my local council has decimated library services so v few library assistant roles (I've looked before!)

Bookshop and jewellery shop, calm, pleasant customers, lovely items to spend your day around

Support worker for people with learning disabilities in their own accommodation. Food shopping and prep, support with day to day activities, trips out, hobbies…

Have you considered reducing your hours and continuing in your current job - either as part-time / job-share - rather than getting a full-time low paid job?

Environment is everything.

I love books so a book shop would be amazing and peaceful

I find drunk people irritating, so I would hate bad work

Ditto restaurant work. I don’t think I would have patience for rudeness these days

I've worked part time before (and compressed hours in my current role) but find that I think about work just as much on my days off, but am not being paid for it!

I'd like something where it takes up no mental space in my head.

Think my perfect role would be something like visitor assistant in a National Trust place. They tend to be seasonal jobs (guess I could do cafe or bar work in the winter)

I'm definitely following this thread. Currently working as a TA and it's ridiculously busy and stressful for a low salary.

My dream little job would be working a children's book shop or walking dogs / taking care of cats at a shelter.

I can really relate to this.

I just can't take office work anymore. I have a long term health condition and even working part-time is becoming increasingly difficult and I just can't be bothered with impossible deadlines, endless meetings and general stress.

And realistically for many companies being part-time just means being expected to do the workload of a full-time job over 3 days but be paid half the salary...

I just want a simple job where I turn up and can do a simple job in peace so watching this thread with interest.

I would happily never have a meeting again.

I had a temporary job in procurement & supplies at the local hospital. (Bank Staff)
Absolutely loved it. Met lots of people.
Was pretty much my own boss and could arrange my own workload ... things just had to be done according to a rota.

So once I had the hang of it, easy peasy!
Downside was that it could be quite physical although 90% of the time I just dealt with largish light weight boxes on an trolley to be placed on a shelf. And then order some more for next time...

My friend is now doing this and she was a qualified nurse ! She absolutely loves her job ! She has to work so many more hours but actually gets more job satisfaction!

How about steward at a theatre?