Goodbye to one job, now it's time for polyworking

ROME – The question is no longer what job do you do but “ how many jobs do you do” ? In fact, more and more people are working two full-time jobs. This phenomenon, called polyworking , is becoming increasingly widespread in the United States and beyond, especially among young people. Many people – in fact – find themselves having to work more than one job at the same time in their lives . This happens both to try to earn more and to cope with the instability of the job market . The phenomenon has become particularly widespread after the period of large resignations, and it is precisely the youngest workers, Millennials and Gen Z , who are having to deal with polyworking.

The growth of the phenomenon

The number of people with multiple full-time or part-time jobs , the New York Times reports, rose to more than 8.9 million in March for the first time since 1994, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the phenomenon, before falling slightly in April. As a term, " polyworking " (and the similar term "polyemployment") is more recent. It began appearing in HR research and traditional and social media after the Covid-19 pandemic , as an optimistic take on the reputation of millennial workers, who are inclined to take on side hustles, try to cash in on hobbies and forgo the 9-to-5. About 50 percent of employees with multiple jobs had a four-year degree as of last December, up from 44 percent in 2014, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis . A report last year from Deloitte found that 45 percent of Gen Z and 36 percent of millennials had a second job either full-time or part-time.

Why you choose a second job

The main reason they take on extra jobs? The first, of course, is that they don’t make enough money at their main job. According to data from the Labor Department, U.S. unemployment remained historically low at 4.2% in April, while average hourly earnings rose 3.8%, outpacing inflation. However, high housing, utility and grocery costs continue to weigh on workers’ earnings.

Pros and cons

Having more than one full-time job has its advantages, but also its challenges. Those who intend to do so by choice and not because they are forced by economic reasons should first consider the time available. It is necessary to be clear that it could have significant repercussions on the quality of work, personal health, work relationships and those outside of work. Bosses and colleagues must not notice a decrease in commitment or prolonged absences or lateness . The performance of polyworkers must always be satisfactory, to avoid the risk of burnout and to get the most out of both jobs. Workers who have a lot of energy and enjoy free time in their main job, can approach the opportunity of polyworking to test themselves.