'Gig Economy' Workers Juggling Two Or More Jobs

Zurich UK’s ‘Restless Worklife’ report - based on UK-wide analysis from YouGov of over 4,200 adults, of which 603 were gig workers - contains new research finds that one in three people hold at least two jobs, while one in 14 hold three or more...

The research also revealed that one in ten undertake seasonal work or employment during the holidays and that more women have just one form of gig work than men (55% vs 42%), whereas more men hold three to five gig jobs than women (19% vs 11%).

The study, which is the first to use data from the gig economy, also found that flexibility and breadth of opportunities are the main factors for two in five when choosing gig work. While a fifth admitted that gig work is the only type of employment available to them, and a further 14% say they undertake gig work to ease them into retirement.

Despite many enjoying the freedom of gig work, the main drawbacks were not having access to employee benefits such as income protection, holiday and sick pay; not knowing where the next job or pay cheque will come from (42%) and not receiving a workplace pension (31%).

Earlier this year, the Government-commissioned review of employment practices recommended a new status for gig workers as ‘dependent contractors’, an alternative worker status that would require gig companies to treat those who worked for them as employees – allowing them access to the same workplace benefits.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee and the Business Select Committee have also announced that a draft Bill has been drawn up which would make ‘gig’ companies pay holiday and sick pay, realising that the labour market is “not working for everyone”.