Polyworking: The new trend in the labor market

Polyworking describes the combination of multiple jobs or projects simultaneously and is becoming a key labor market trend, especially among Millennials and Gen Z. Reasons for this include financial security, self-fulfillment, and more flexible career paths. At the same time, hybrid work models are increasing the compatibility of different activities. Alongside benefits like higher income and new skills, polyworking also carries risks such as stress and burnout. With Flexopus, hybrid workspaces and resources can be coordinated efficiently, allowing companies to better integrate and support polyworkers.

Polyworking through effective resource booking - with Flexopus!

Polyworking Definition

Polyworking refers to the practice of pursuing several different professional activities or projects simultaneously, rather than limiting oneself to a single job. This way of working goes beyond traditional side hustles and represents a permanently coordinated portfolio of various activities that combines economic stability with personal development. Polyworkers are characterized by their versatility, flexibility, and the ability to manage different roles and tasks in parallel.

The forms of polyworking are diverse:

• Combination of a main job with several side projects
• Two or more part-time jobs in parallel
• Multiple long-term freelance activities
• Combination of different roles such as strategy, consulting, teaching, or creative work

Why more and more Gen Z and Millennials are turning to polyworking

According to a global study by academized.com, 52 percent of Millennials aged between 26 and 41 have at least one side job. In Germany, this figure is as high as 54 percent – leading Europe ahead of Great Britain (49 percent) and France (41 percent). Notably, one-third of respondents juggle four or more jobs at the same time.

The primary motivation for polyworking is financial security, cited by 40 percent of respondents. However, self-fulfillment also plays an important role for 24 percent, while 17 percent want to develop new skills. Furthermore, 28 percent state that having multiple jobs helps them achieve a better work-life balance.

Polyworking Examples

A typical example of polyworking is a Scrum Master who is employed at a software company during the day, manages various freelance projects in the evening, and participates in volunteer art projects on the weekend. Alternatively, individuals may combine a part-time corporate job with self-employment or a teaching position.

In the tech industry, 35 percent of Millennials already use AI tools for their side jobs, sometimes earning additional income of up to 40,000 euros annually. In total, 36 percent of European polyworkers earn over 10,000 euros annually from their side activities (source: academized.com).

What are the pros and cons of polyworking?

The trend toward polyworking offers numerous pros and cons that should be considered when deciding on this form of work.

Polyworking Benefits

Financial security is a priority for many polyworkers. Having multiple income streams creates a form of risk diversification that offers protection, especially in economically uncertain times. Furthermore, income can be increased drastically through multiple activities. Depending on the distribution and the jobs, polyworkers earn significantly more than they would with just one position.

Beyond the financial aspect, many polyworkers value the opportunity for self-fulfillment. They also use multiple jobs to develop new skills and improve their career prospects. This versatility also fosters adaptability to new requirements in an ever-changing labor market.

Additionally, polyworking offers expanded networking opportunities by connecting with different professional circles and, for many, increases job satisfaction through greater variety.

Flexopus can help to better coordinate polyworking activities and maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks. Companies that use Flexopus enable flexible resource booking, allowing desks or rooms within a company to be planned—both spontaneously and in advance. This keeps the entire workforce informed about who is sitting where and when someone will be present. In this way, polyworkers are effectively integrated into the daily work routine.

Disadvantages of Polyworking

Despite the positive aspects, a significant 42 percent of polyworkers report exhaustion and burnout symptoms. Balancing multiple jobs requires excellent time management, which frequently leads to stress.

Particularly problematic: 26 percent of polyworkers experience tension in their personal relationships, while 19 percent notice a decline in their performance in their primary job (source: academized.com). In extreme cases, some polyworkers work up to 80 hours per week, which can cause long-term health problems.

For companies, on the other hand, concerns arise regarding loyalty and potential conflicts of interest. Legal questions concerning employment contracts, secondary employment clauses, and working time laws must also be clarified.

Polyworking and Hybrid Work (Hybrid Polyworking)

Combining polyworking with hybrid work creates a particularly flexible work model. Hybrid work combines on-site office work with working from home or other work locations and—depending on the type of employment—allows for more freedom in scheduling work hours. This flexibility increasingly favors polyworking, as multiple hybrid jobs can be coordinated regardless of location or time zone.

According to a recent study, 24% of employees work as polyworkers, with 16% planning to start. Notably, 30% of hybrid workers have at least one side job—significantly more than pure office workers (24%) or remote workers (11%). This demonstrates the natural synergy between hybrid work models and polyworking.

For younger generations, this combination represents an attractive opportunity:

• 55% of employees are interested in "microshifting" – short, non-linear work blocks
• Almost half (48%) plan personal appointments during working hours
• 60% of managers confirm higher productivity through hybrid work

However, 36% of employees report increasing stress. Successful implementation therefore requires clear communication rules, technical support, and a culture of trust.

Conclusion

Hybrid polyworking combines flexibility with economic security and is being driven forward particularly by younger generations. This form of work is more than a passing trend – it represents a sustainable change in the working world.

With Flexopus, you can optimally organize your polyworking activities in a hybrid work environment. The platform assists in coordinating various tasks at different workplaces and helps you structure your working hours efficiently.