Stories

Mon, 25 May 2026

Mon, 25 May 2026 'I live in survival mode': The rise of the multi-job workforce

More people are taking second jobs as rising costs and insecure work reshape how we earn a living.

* Billy-Jo Pierce, a 29-year-old from Bristol, works 50-60 hours a week running her own business and taking on multiple part-time jobs
* She says she's "living in survival mode" and feels like she's constantly worrying about money despite working long hours
* Research suggests material costs in the beauty industry have risen by over 90% in the past decade, contributing to the need for extra income
* Data from the Office for National Statistics shows a slight decline in people having second jobs compared to a record high of 1.35m in 2025
* The gig economy is growing, with nearly 5 million people taking part in freelance or contract work, but only a fifth rely on it as their primary income
* Many workers, especially younger ones, are turning to multiple jobs due to insecurity and changes in industry trends