Marvin OnumonuOne in five workers (21%) now hold more than one job, according to the latest research from Employment Hero’s Annual Jobs Report.
The report found that 42% of Gen Z workers surveyed said they were juggling multiple roles.
17% of people in full-time jobs were also working extra roles.
Nearly a third (29%) of all workers said they had taken on more hours to keep up with rising costs.
More than half of those surveyed were prioritising job security over ambition, with 55% saying they were staying put in their current roles.
59% believed the UK labour market was getting worse, and 51% said they did not feel confident about finding a new job within three months.
Employment growth slowed from around 8% in 2024 to 3.1% by July 2025.
Kevin Fitzgerald, UK managing director at Employment Hero, said: “Our data shows how the side hustle has transformed from a choice into a necessity.
“One in five UK workers now hold multiple jobs, and almost a third are working longer hours just to keep up with rising everyday costs.
“While we are beginning to see early signs of recovery in employment, confidence is lagging far behind.”
Fitzgerald added: “Unless cost-of-living pressures ease, second jobs will remain less about opportunity and more about survival.”
Nina Skero, CEO of CEBR, said: “Workers are facing a difficult balancing act; inflation continues to erode real wages, and job opportunities are thinning out.
“Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that many are relying on second jobs to stay afloat.
“While this adaptability is impressive, it highlights the wider fragility of the UK’s labour market and the need for policies that restore both stability and confidence.”
