According to the late David Graeber, this has been going for a while now. He defines one category of "bullshit jobs" as flunkies. Typically people who are hired

According to the late David Graeber, this has been going for a while now. He defines one category of "bullshit jobs" as flunkies. Typically people who are hired to make someone else look good. For example a CEO must have a secretary or an assistant or analyst so they hire one. They do perform a role of sorts, but their output is completely irrelevant. It's really not far from suits, especially white ones, white gloves, or high heels. Such apparel demonstrates that you don't work, in fact that you can't work. Ancient Romans liked to have feasts while laying on their sides - it's very inconvenient to reach for things and you must use servants. Another status symbol is a wristwatch with dials but no numbers. Female shirts are unbuttoned from the opposite side - so they're comfortable to unbutton for the servants.