News & Insights

Legal Update: Younger employees more likely to work multiple jobs

Recent research from Boostworks has revealed that a staggering 57% of ‘Gen Z’ workers, and 71.5% of millennials are either currently considering, or are already working, a second job. The most common reason cited for this is financial pressures, as wages stagnate despite rising living costs.

While English law does not prevent employees from taking on second jobs unless there are obvious conflicts of interest such as working for a competitor, employers should still aim to be proactive in combating the downsides so-called ‘moonlighting’ can have on their organisation.

Working a second job means that employees may be less focused, more burned out, and more stressed, which can have a serious impact on their productivity and performance. This can also lead to an increase in sick leave from the stress.

It’s imperative that employment contracts expressly include a clause outlining the parameters for whether employees can take on external work, and if they are, what the limitations of this are. Contracts should also clearly outline that employees are bound by confidentiality at all times, and that working for two competitors simultaneously will not be tolerated and even subject to formal action.

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