I hate it when he is lazy: What does 'it' refer to?

[Tung Quoc]

Dear teachers,

Please read:

I hate it when he is lazy.

What does “it” refer to?
This structure is strange for me. Do you know the rule?

Thanks
Quoc

[Mister Micawber]

.
This is just an introductory-it in the middle of a sentence. It serves the same purpose: to postpone another sentence element (here, when he is lazy) to a position of greater emphasis.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber