Employers advised to have policies on multiple job holders as young workers take on more outside work
Employers should have a clear and simple employment policy when it comes to employees juggling multiple jobs, according to an expert, as financial pressures push more workers to take on more than one job.
The latest findings from Deel's What Gen Z Workers Want – Australia report showed that 40% of Gen Zs in Australia's labour force are already doing paid work outside their main job.
Broadly, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that more than one million workers in the country are already multiple job holders as of June 2026.
In the ABS report, workers aged 20 to 24 were more likely to be working multiple jobs (11.2%).
Shannon Karaka, country manager for Deel Australia, told HRD that it's up to employers to adapt to Gen Zs' changing needs when it comes to work.
"Secondary employment policies work best when they're simple. Employees want clarity on conflicts of interest and confidentiality, and the confidence that they can be open about outside work without it counting against them," Karaka told HRD.
"A clear policy brings side hustles into the open, where employers can manage them rather than leaving them hidden, which ultimately gives young talent reasons to stay."
Karaka added that employers should consider the potential of employees juggling multiple jobs, as he noted that half of those in Deel's findings were doing it because they enjoyed it.
"Those doing it for enjoyment are showing drive and skills that employers could put to better use, through stretch projects and new responsibilities in their main role," Karaka said.
Pay pressure drives multiple employment
Ultimately, financial pressure is pushing many Gen Z workers to take on additional jobs outside their main role, with Deel's findings showing that financial instability is the biggest concern among Australia's youngest members of the workforce.
The report found that 48% of Gen Z employees are now struggling with costs or fear of income loss, while 68% identified financial security as one of their goals for the next decade.
For employers looking to support young workers, Karaka said the starting point should be pay.
"It's in the top three priorities for 72% of Gen Z workers, and when pay falls behind living costs, it's hard for people to focus on their career development," Karaka said.
The timing of pay also matters, as does giving people access to wages they've already earned, and encouraging healthy financial habits in the workplace, according to Deel's country manager.
"Money worries follow people into work and affect their focus and energy, which is why financial wellbeing underpins so much of the entire employee experience," he said.
"Regular pay reviews and transparency about how pay is set can also make a big difference."
