The legality of moonlighting has been a topic of debate over the past year or so. While Wipro fired hundreds for moonlighting, Infosys allowed employees to take up side jobs provided they had their managers’ permission and did not let it affect their primary job. So what is it that makes side jobs so popular amongst the youngsters? What kind of side jobs do they take up and why?
Deloitte’s Global 2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey reveals some very interesting facts.
More Gen Zs than Millennials are likely to pursue secondary jobs. A significant 66 per cent Gen Zs in India are pursuing either a part-time or a full-time secondary job in 2023. Last year, this figure was 63 per cent. A good 53 per cent Millennials in India have taken up a full- or part-time job in addition to their primary job in 2023, compared to 50 per cent last year.
What kind of side jobs are out there?
The most popular side job appears to be that of social-media influencer / content creator, with 31 per cent Gen Zs and 35 per cent Millennials taking up these jobs. Pursuing artistic ambitions comes in a close second with 26 per cent Gen Zs and 33 per cent Millennials engaged in such pursuits.
Writing/hosting a blog, podcast, or newsletter is the third most popular side job, with 26 per cent Gen Zs and 25 per cent Millennials engaged in this.
About 23 per cent Gen Zs and 24 per cent Millennials work in restaurants or retail stores as a side job. About 22 per cent Gen Zs and a good 35 per cent Millennials sell products or services through online platforms as a side business.
Why are side jobs popular anyway?
While 47 per cent Gen Zs in India and 37 per cent Millennials say they take up a side hustle for a secondary source of income, 39 per cent of Gen Zs and 38 per cent Millennials feel this helps them develop important skills and relationships.
About 38 per cent Gen Zs in India and 36 per cent Millennials admit that a side job is a welcome distraction that helps them turn off or focus on something other than their primary job.
A significant 30 per cent of Gen Zs and 33 per cent of Millennials in India are keen to develop their side job into their primary job and take it up full time!
Thirty per cent each of Gen Zs and Millennials in India wish to support their family business as a side job.
Sense of identity
Did you know that their primary job is the most important to youngsters in the workforce when it comes to their sense of identity? In fact, 65 per cent of Gen Zs and 68 per cent of Millennials feel that their primary work is most important to their sense of identity. Friends and family come next, at 62 per cent for Gen Zs and 61 per cent for the Millennials.
About 30 per cent of Gen Zs and 37 per cent of Millennials in India admit that their volunteering efforts and how they make a positive impact on society drives their sense of identity. In fourth place is exercise. Yes, yoga, jogging and so on are important to their self identity say 28 per cent Gen Zs and 33 per cent Millennials in India. Their secondary or side job drives their self identity for 26 per cent Gen Zs and 20 per cent Millennials in India.