Tick over despite being work-shy (4)
I believe the answer is:
idle
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'tick over' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'being work-shy' is the second definition.
('idle' can be similar in meaning to 'work-shy')
'despite' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for idle that I've seen before include "Lied about doing nothing" , "Without work" , "Not in active use" , "Not in action or at work" , "Avoiding work, lazy" .)