Cost-of-living concerns drive Kiwi workers to seek a second job

49% of Kiwi workers are considering taking on a second job in the next 12 months

42% say a second job is necessary for them to meet their financial needs, while a further 32% say they would do so to have extra funds for discretionary spend

56% believe their employer would be supportive of them taking on a second job elsewhere

Auckland, 26 September 2024 – The number of New Zealand workers wanting an extra source of income amid cost-of-living concerns is on the rise, as 49% are considering taking on a second job in the next 12 months, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.

The rise of working two jobs

Independent Robert Half research on 49% of Kiwi workers considering a second job is a bellwether for this rising trend, where data from Stats NZ shows the number of multiple job holders in New Zealand has risen from 187,600 in Q1 2019 to 220,900 in Q2 2024 across all industries¹.

With 57%, Gen X are the most likely to seek an additional source of income, followed by Gen Z (56%), and Millennials (51%). Baby Boomers (33%) are the least likely generation to be considering an extra job to meet the increased cost of living.

The reasons why workers want a second job

The overwhelming majority (84%) of workers who have or would consider a second job do so solely for financial reasons.

Those who are considering or who already have a second job cite the following reasons:

Necessary to meet financial needs (42%)

Provide extra funds for discretionary spend (32%)

Pursuit of a personal passion (7%)

A back-up job in case of layoff from the primary job (10%)

To build skills in a different field/to test a new career (9%)

To fulfil personal goals (7%)

“In the current economic climate with rising cost of living, more New Zealand workers are seeking additional employment to boost their earnings and strengthen their financial wellbeing,” says Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half. “However, taking on a second job requires careful consideration to balance financial needs with personal wellbeing.”

Workers feel employers understand their needs

When asked about how employers might react to their staff taking on a second job, more than half (56%) of workers feel their current employer would support them. One quarter (25%) believe their employer would be against them taking on an extra job.

“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,” says Alexander.

“For those considering a second job, they should opt for one that aligns with their skills and interests, while ensuing it doesn’t create a conflict of interest with their primary employer. Before committing, workers need to check what (if any) obligations they have with their current employer. A failure to comply with an employer's policy or contractual obligations in this space could have serious implications for workers. Transparency is key.

“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,” concludes Alexander.

1 StatsNZ, Infoshare, Group: Household Labour Force Survey – HLF, Table: Multiple Job Holders by Industry (Qrtly-Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec), September 2024

RobertHalf_NZ_secondjobs_September2024.pdf

About the research

The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in June 2024 by an independent research company, surveying 501 full-time office workers across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management and trends in the workplace.

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm.  Robert Half New Zealand has an office in Aukland. More information on roberthalf.com/nz

For more information    

Courtney Fletcher  

PR Manager  

[email protected]   

+61 421 209 304