'Just being transparent can drastically lower the chance of a future clash happening,' says expert
Employers are being advised to foster transparency in their organisations as more members of the workforce join the poly-employment trend.
Poly-employment refers to the practice of having two or more jobs simultaneously, driven by various factors such as cost-of-living pressures and the rising gig economy across the world.
In the United States, data from the Bureau of Labour Statistics revealed that there are 8.825 million people working multiple jobs as of April 2025, accounting for 5.4% of civilian employment.
In Australia, there were one million multiple jobholders, or 6.7% of employed people, as of December 2024, according to the country's Statistics Bureau.
In New Zealand, Stats NZ data showed that there were 220,900 multiple jobholders in the second quarter of 2024, while 49% more Kiwi workers are considering a second job, according to Robert Half data in September.
In Japan, around 3.05 million people held side jobs in 2022 to make ends meet, The Asahi Shimbun reported, citing a survey from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications that's held every five years.
Ben Thompson, CEO of Employment Hero, told Yahoo Finance Gen Z employees are at the "front of the poly-employment trend."
According to Thompson, this is because these employees want to increase their income and gain diverse experiences.
"There's a growing demand from both employers and workers for flexibility, and the rise of poly-employment reflects that," the CEO added.
Shashi Karunanethy, chief economist at Geografia, stated that the increasing number of multiple jobholders is a response to the cost-of-living crisis.
"This generation – who entered the workforce during the global pandemic is not just focused on making more money to navigate higher costs and inflation – they are searching for sustainable employment, reliable shifts, and financial stability," Karunanethy said in a statement.
Peter Duris, CEO and Co-Founder of Kickresume, also said working multiple part-time jobs can help Gen Zs build up their skills and experience, which can strengthen their portfolio.
"Since hiring managers often look for candidates with work experience, working in several different areas gives the applicant an advantage," Duris said in a statement. "Moreover, poly-employment also helps to get started in more inaccessible industries, gaining experience as a part-timer while supporting yourself with another job."
Employers who have multiple jobholders in their team should encourage open and honest communication, according to Duris.
"Find the time to talk to your employee and set clear expectations for them. Just being transparent can drastically lower the chance of a future clash happening," he said.
The CEO added that employers should also be mindful of employees' other commitments.
"While your employee has a commitment to you and their role, try to understand that they may only be able to work their contracted hours with you. Try and avoid last-minute tasks that could leave them stretched for time," he said.
