'Employers need to proactively understand their motivations,' says expert
Nearly half of employees in New Zealand are considering a second job in a bid to make financial ends meet, according to a new survey from Robert Half.
The poll, carried out among 501 full-time office workers, found that 49% are considering taking on a second job in the next 12 months.
Gen X employees are most likely to seek an additional source of income, with 57%, according to the report. They are followed by Gen Z employees (56%) and Millennials (51%).
The top reason for seeking an extra job is to meet financial needs (42%), according to the report. Others cited the following reasons:
- Provide extra funds for discretionary spending (32%)
- Pursuit of a personal passion (7%)
- A back-up job in case of layoffs from the primary job (10%)
- To build skills in a different field/to test a new career (9%)
- To fulfil personal goals (7%)
Megan Alexander, managing director at Robert Half, reminded employees that taking on a second job requires "careful consideration to balance financial needs with personal wellbeing."
"Before taking on a second job, it's vital for workers to honestly evaluate if they can manage the extra workload without jeopardising both their health and performance at their main job," Alexander said in a statement.
Conflict with main job
Meanwhile, Alexander also reminded employees to check their existing obligations with their primary employer before looking for a second job.
"They should opt for one that aligns with their skills and interests, while ensuring it doesn't create a conflict of interest with their primary employer," the managing director advised.
A quarter of employees believe their employers would be against them taking on an extra job, but 56% feel their current employer would support them.
"Before committing, workers need to check what (if any) obligations they have with their current employer," Alexander said. "A failure to comply with an employer's policy or contractual obligations in this space could have serious implications for workers. Transparency is key."
Rise of multiple jobholders
The findings reflect the rising trend of employees taking on multiple jobs in New Zealand, according to Robert Half. It cited data from Stats NZ that found multiple job holders have increased to 220,900 in the second quarter of 2024, up from 187,600 in the first quarter of 2019.
In advice to employers, Alexander said they should understand employees' motivations for getting a second job.
"As more employees seek second jobs, employers need to proactively understand their motivations and ensure their workplace culture and compensation packages are competitive enough to retain valuable talent," she said.
