Working overtime: Canada tops global list for multiple job holders

A growing number of Canadians are turning to multiple sources of income to stay financially afloat, even while working full-time. 

New data shows that 35 per cent of full-time workers in Canada hold more than one job—a global high that underscores the shifting definition of job security in a high-cost economy.

The findings, released in Employment Hero’s 2025 Annual Jobs Report, point to a labour force under pressure. Among all employed Canadians surveyed, 36 per cent say they need to work multiple jobs simply to earn enough to meet their basic needs. For workers aged 18 to 24, that figure rises to 50 per cent.

The rate of poly-employment in Canada signals more than a temporary shift. Employment Hero’s report identifies it as a structural response to rising living costs and wage stagnation, particularly among younger workers. The data points to a growing mismatch between what full-time roles offer and what workers require to meet basic financial needs.

Canada now leads all comparable developed markets in the share of full-time workers engaged in multiple jobs. A global workforce study published by ADP in early 2025 found that 23 per cent of workers worldwide reported holding more than one job, 12 percentage points below Canada’s rate among full-time employees.

Younger workers are reshaping the workforce

The Employment Hero report suggests a significant generational divide. Younger Canadians are entering the workforce with fewer expectations of job security and greater comfort with portfolio-style careers. This shift could have long-term implications for workplace engagement, loyalty and retention.

Brigitta, 30, works full-time as an education co-ordinator in Calgary. Despite holding a steady role with one of Alberta’s largest employers, she supplements her income with part-time gigs in product sampling, delivery services and online retail. She says she often works seven days a week just to cover rent, bills and groceries. “My full-time salary alone does not cover all my expenses,” she said. “I’ve had to create multiple income streams, even if they’re outside my field.”

Brigitta’s situation is increasingly common. While she holds a bachelor’s degree and stable employment, she is still paid hourly and often relies on overtime to buffer her earnings. “I rarely turn down extra work, but it comes at the cost of my health and personal life,” she said.

Employment Hero’s report notes that the rise in poly-employment may challenge traditional models of full-time work. If employees can no longer rely on a single employer to meet financial needs, businesses may need to adapt their compensation strategies and workplace design.

The rise of poly-employment may compel employers to rethink how they structure work and support staff. As more workers take on multiple roles to meet financial demands, strategies such as flexible scheduling, more competitive compensation, and internal opportunities for skill-building may help reduce reliance on external side gigs and improve workforce engagement.

With poly-employment becoming increasingly normalized, the report suggests that Canadian employers may need to rethink how they define workforce engagement and loyalty in the years ahead.

Canada’s evolving definition of full-time work

The data paints a picture of a labour market in transition. Once seen as a benchmark of stability, full-time employment in Canada is no longer a guarantee of financial security. For many, it is a starting point in a broader patchwork of income strategies.

As cost-of-living pressures persist, and as younger generations reframe their expectations of work, Canada may be the first among advanced economies to confront a foundational question: Is full-time employment still enough?

The answer may not lie in returning to old models, but in adapting to new ones—where flexibility and diversified income are part of a redefined employment landscape. For employers, policymakers and workers alike, recognizing this shift will be key to navigating what comes next.