Latest news with #polyworking
Fast Company
04-07-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Employees are crashing out all over TikTok. Here's why
Work-related stress is on the rise. And to quote Gen Z, who loves some dramatic verbiage, the overwhelm has employees totally 'crashing out.' Crashing out can look like having a full blown freak out (think: losing it at a coworker, crying at your desk, or screaming in your car) or simply feeling internally unhinged and saying quietly to yourself 'I'm crashing out. I'm crashing out so hard right now.' On TikTok Gen Z is crashing out over the big and small. (Think their dog eating their new Nike kicks.) However, one of the most common trends is crashing out over work. And while the videos are very often all in good fun and usually hilarious, that doesn't mean that work-related pressure isn't a very real issue. According to a new report with data from 2,000 full-time employees, there are definitely good reasons to be crashing out. Research from Owl Lab's 2024 State of Hybrid Work Report finds 43% of workers say their work stress has increased in just one year. Furthermore, 89% say there has been no improvement in their troublesome work-related stress from the previous year. What is everyone crashing out about? Unfair compensation For starters, a good chunk of workers (22%) don't feel fairly compensated, per the report. Many employees are 'polyworking,' or working an additional job. Over a fifth (22%) of employees have another job in addition to their full-time job. Shockingly, this number is higher for managers: almost a third (32%) have another job. Unsurprisingly, managers' stress levels are 55% higher than nonmanagers'. Not enough flexibility Employees are also over having to go to the office, mainly, because it doesn't feel necessary to them. Half of workers feel that when they are forced to go into work it is only to 'fill a seat.' Likewise, most workers (84%) say working from home gives them the ability to eat healthier meals. They also have to spend less money on food and parking. Hybrid workers report spending an average of $61 when working from the office versus working from home. Flexibility is majorly important to workers: 41% say if they lost their hybrid work privileges, they'd look for a new job. Office politics One major reason why employees don't want to come into the office, aside from getting to work from the comfort of home, is political differences. Nearly half (45%) of U.S. workers said their colleagues' political views have them wanting to stay home. While older generations are less likely to air their grievances online, Gen Z leans in. Overall one in three workers (34%) has posted something negative about their job or employer. However, nearly half (48%) of Gen Z employees have. And with that, crashing out has entered the chat.
New York Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Don't Call It a Side Hustle. These Americans Are ‘Polyworking.'
For a growing number of Americans, juggling more than one job, or 'polyworking,' has become just another day at the office. The number of people with multiple full- or part-time jobs climbed to over 8.9 million in March for the first time since 1994, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the phenomenon, before ticking down slightly in April. As a practice, it's not so new. Think 'moonlighting.' But as a term, polyworking (and the similar 'polyemployment') is more recent. It began cropping up in human resources research and in traditional and social media after the Covid-19 pandemic as an upbeat spin on millennial workers' reputation for taking on side hustles, trying to monetize hobbies and eschewing 9-to-5 work. How it's pronounced 'It's a way to take back ownership of work and one's career in a meaningful way, pushing back against the sense that you are identified by one job, one employer,' said Erin Hatton, a professor of sociology at the State University of New York at Buffalo who studies the labor market. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Millennials Working Multiple Jobs Can Avoid Burnout
Millennials working multiple jobs risk burnout without a clear strategy. The traditional career path has fundamentally changed, creating a generation on the verge of burnout. While previous generations committed to a single employer, Millennials are finding that they need multiple jobs to support their lifestyles, often sacrificing their mental health in the process. According to research from Academized, 52% of Millennials are working side hustles to supplement their income, with a quarter juggling three jobs and a third managing an incredible four or more income streams simultaneously. This phenomenon, called "polyworking," represents more than a passing trend. It's a response to economic necessity. As wages continue to trail rising living costs, many Millennials need multiple income sources to stay afloat financially. But at what cost? Let's explore the strategies and tactics Millennials can use to avoid burnout while juggling multiple jobs. Several factors make Millennials particularly likely to pursue multiple jobs: Millennials face financial pressures, including student loan debt and stagnant wages, making supplemental income necessary. According to Academized's research, Millennials with side gigs earn an additional $12,689 yearly, with some tech freelancers pulling in an extra $45,000 annually. Digital platforms and remote work opportunities have dramatically lowered barriers to entry for side gigs. Academized's survey found that 35% of Millennials use digital and AI tools to manage their side hustles, especially in tech fields. Having witnessed multiple economic downturns, Millennials have learned that diversifying income sources provides insurance against job loss. The traditional notion of job security has been replaced by career security built on multiple revenue streams. Many Millennials prioritize flexibility and meaning over traditional career advancement. Working multiple jobs allows them to pursue passion projects alongside more practical income sources. While financial needs often drive Millennials to work multiple jobs, several less obvious benefits exist: The psychological security of having multiple income streams allows polyworkers to take more calculated risks with their careers. Skills developed in one role often enhance performance in others, creating a virtuous cycle of improvement. Having professional connections across multiple industries creates opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. When you're not dependent on a single employer, you gain leverage to set boundaries and decline projects that don't serve your well-being. Despite these benefits, the burnout risk is real. New research from Moodle reveals that two-thirds (66%) of American employees today are experiencing burnout, driven by: The Academized survey also shows that 42% of Millennials managing multiple jobs experience burnout due to extended work hours, with 26% reporting personal relationship issues. If you're among the growing group of polyworkers, these strategies can help you maintain multiple jobs without sacrificing your well-being: Not all polyworking arrangements are created equal. Consider these common models: Successful polyworking requires clear separation between different roles: The most successful polyworkers build recovery time into their schedules: Be vigilant about early signs of burnout: Working multiple jobs is more sustainable when you have specific financial targets: Perhaps most importantly, recognize when polyworking is no longer serving you: Millennials are actively diversifying their income streams, driven by economic pressures and a desire for financial independence. The Academized survey found that 58% of Millennials plan to maintain multiple jobs or income streams long-term, suggesting this trend is here to stay. The key to sustainable polyworking lies in strategic planning. By choosing complementary roles, creating clear boundaries, and prioritizing recovery time, you can build a career that provides financial security and personal fulfillment without risking burnout.
