UK workers are increasingly seeking out casual jobs to supplement their income.
Recruitment platform Indeed has seen ‘weekend only’ and ‘night shift part-time’ searches soar by 120% and 110% between the three months leading to January 2022 and the same period leading to January 2023.
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Searches for low-skilled jobs also exploded as searches for ‘warehouse part time jumping by 252% and ‘retail part-time’ jumped by 124%.
According to Jack Kennedy, Indeed’s UK economist, the results demonstrate British workers are increasingly turning to jobs they can fit around their current job or caring responsibilities.
He said: “The huge increase in demand for roles with ‘weekly pay’ should not be ignored. During this challenging economic period businesses need to not only consider supporting staff with flexibility regarding working hours and location, but also pay cycles.”
Frank Douglas, CEO of HR consultancy Caerus, said the results were disturbing and disappointing.
Speaking to HR magazine, he said: “It is another indication that wages are not keeping pace with the fastest rate of increase for the cost of living in 40 years.”
For many, Douglas added, working a second job or taking on more hours simply is not an option.
The data showed over a quarter (28%) of full-time employees already work over 48 hours a week.
Douglas said: “This means many UK workers are trapped in a ‘wage ceiling,’ which has serious long-term consequences for many in the UK workforce.
“In particular, the impact of working two jobs or more on physical and mental health is yet to be felt.
“While the cost of living has increased the need for ‘insecure employment’, it is not a new phenomenon in many ethnic minority communities. TUC research stated that one in every 13 BAME workers are in temporary or zero-hours work, compared with one in 20 white workers.”
Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation said the findings underlined the need for better wages for workers and secure, guaranteed hours.
She told HR magazine: “We know that low pay and precarious work often go hand-in-hand. As inflation soars, workers and families are being forced to make expensive last minute childcare arrangements because of changing shifts or choose between basic needs like heating and eating because of pay that can’t cover rising costs.
“Now more than ever, employers who can must commit to paying a real Living Wage that can provide for everyday needs along with secure and reliable Living Hours.”
