The End of Full-Time Security: A Third of Canadians Now Working Extra Jobs

TORONTO, ON (October 2, 2025) – For over one in three (35%) full-time Canadian workers surveyed, one job is no longer enough. According to the inaugural Annual Jobs Report: Work in Motion, released today by Employment Hero (formerly Humi), rising costs are forcing Canadians into “poly-employment” – a trend reshaping the labour market as workers patch together incomes from multiple roles. 

The report, which features insights from a YouGov survey of 3,635 workers across Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, suggests the scramble to cover rising expenses is leaving Canadians drained. More than half of workers surveyed (53%) say they would prefer a job without high pressure or responsibility – an appetite strongest in Quebec (60%) and lowest in the Atlantic region (47%). 

“When Canadians are working 40 hours a week and still can’t pay the bills, it’s not just an economic headline – it’s a human story and a wake-up call,” said Kevin Kliman, President of Canadian business at Employment Hero, the global authority on employment. “For many, poly-employment is not about ambition. It’s about survival. Full-time should guarantee a level of financial stability, but for many Canadians today, it doesn’t.” 

The sentiment for less pressure is particularly strong among 25–34-year-old workers surveyed, who are choosing wellbeing over promotions. Yet ambition hasn’t disappeared entirely – 62 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds say they’re putting in longer hours to move ahead, raising the question of whether they’re striving for growth or simply reacting to the pressures of an overstretched workforce. 

Behind the data are workers like Brigitta, a Calgary-based full-time employee who now works evenings and weekends at two additional jobs to cover her living expenses. “My full-time salary alone does not cover all my expenses, so additional work is non-negotiable. The number of supplemental hours I work in a month directly determines whether I can afford basic necessities such as groceries,” said Brigitta. 

The findings reveal a Canadian workforce that is pragmatic, but shaped by economic instability. Alongside poly-employment, the data also shows a clear tilt toward security, with only two per cent of workers surveyed expressing interest in working at a startup. That same desire for stability is echoed in the 22 per cent who say their ideal job would be working for themselves or running their own business – suggesting Canadians are weighing independence as a path through uncertainty. 

Kliman added: “A steady paycheque isn’t the safety net it once was. Canadians are telling us they want security and control. Employers can answer that by looking after their people – not just through pay, but by listening, building skills and creating workplaces where people feel

safe. That’s the future of work in this country and I have faith in Canadian employers to lead the way.” 

This is the first release in Employment Hero’s Jobs Report series, which will regularly spotlight the realities of work across the country. For more information on the Canadian Jobs Report, visit here.