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In a professional setting, this can mean that you progress more slowly in one job than you otherwise would; a frustrating feeling if you have high ambitions.
Finally, you may feel uncomfortable working for more than one employer, particularly if you feel the need to keep one or more of your jobs a secret.
But if you really value your downtime and need to prioritize time for yourself and others, it is a good idea to think twice before committing to polywork.
Transparency is key here. If you are going to work more than one job, make sure it is clear to your employers when you will be working for each.
It is clear, then, that there are many ups and downs to working multiple jobs. If you are someone who thrives on pace and the challenge of juggling multiple responsibilities, it may well be for you.
Another clear disadvantage to working multiple jobs is that it can cause increased levels of stress and even burnout.
And now for the disadvantages. First up is the obvious fact that polywork takes up a huge amount of time, much of which may otherwise be spent doing hobbies or seeing friends and family.
This is clearly something to bear in mind if, for example, you are working two jobs to afford designer clothes for your kids. They may prefer you to work one job and always be home for dinner.
Related to the above is the fact that stretching yourself too thin makes it likely you’ll never have the time to do things as well as you would like.
The final benefit to polywork is that it allows you to pursue two different career paths at the same time. This can be quite important if you are someone who can’t decide which path to take.
There is also a lot to be said for the variety of company experience that comes with working multiple jobs. Every company has a different culture and attracts different types of personalities.
If you are a person who thrives on creating, you may even find that having a second, creative job energizes you, despite the time that it takes.
Having the income from a second full-time job can be a great way to boost your savings, or finally pay for that round-the-world trip you’ve always dreamed of.
Having two jobs is also a great way to ensure you are exposed to a variety of work. Indeed, some people who polywork have multiple jobs in completely different industries.
If you spend all day working as an accountant, for example, it can be fun to work in the evenings producing online video content.
As it seems polywork is going nowhere, let's take a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages that this working style can bring.
Let’s start by taking a look at the benefits. The most obvious upside to having two jobs is, of course, the extra income.
But what is really behind the rise in polywork? Are people working two jobs just to make ends meet, or are there other advantages to having more than one job?
Indeed, according to a poll conducted by Paychex, 50% of people who polywork say they appreciate it for the additional income.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in the number of people working more than one full-time job.
According to one Forbes article from March 2023, the percentage of people doing polywork is as high as 40%.
As many people started working from home and employees were given more autonomy, many people took the opportunity to "polywork" and earn some extra income.
When the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and the world went into home office mode, many things about the world of work changed. Many of the old in-person activities went online, and certain employees had a newfound freedom that they were ready to take advantage of by getting a second job. Enter: polywork, the new phenomenon that has people working more than one full-time job.
But despite the obvious financial benefits, polywork does have its downsides. Many people who do it over an extended period find that they are constantly overtired, overworked, and have very little quality of life.
With all this said, check out this gallery to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this recent work trend.
Polywork: the ups and downs of working multiple jobs
The reality behind this post-pandemic trend
LIFESTYLE Work
When the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and the world went into home office mode, many things about the world of work changed. Many of the old in-person activities went online, and certain employees had a newfound freedom that they were ready to take advantage of by getting a second job. Enter: polywork, the new phenomenon that has people working more than one full-time job.
But despite the obvious financial benefits, polywork does have its downsides. Many people who do it over an extended period find that they are constantly overtired, overworked, and have very little quality of life.
With all this said, check out this gallery to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this recent work trend.