What Are the Reasons for the Rising Trends in Part-Time Work?

Part-time work trends suggest that part-time opportunities are growing in number in comparison to full-time roles, establishing a confusing movement within the sphere of work. According to a report by Indeed’s Hiring Lab, the share of part-time job postings has gone up since 2022, however, the number of full-time positions has remained the same. Employers appear to be promoting growth in part-time work openings and some have suggested this is due to their limited labor needs while other sources expect it has something to do with the promise of flexibility for its workers.

The balance between part-time and full-time opportunities hasn’t switched quite so dramatically as to suggest that part-time jobs are the future of work, however, it is enough to consider that a new work trend may be unfolding as we speak.

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Trends in Part-time Work Show Share of Part-time Jobs Are On the Rise

The part-time job growth patterns show that the share of postings for such roles has gone up by approximately 10 percent in comparison to pre-2022 numbers. From January 2022 to May 2024, the share of full-time roles remained largely unchanged while positions advertising both part-time and full-time openings simultaneously briefly rose in 2022 before returning to normal. The rise of part-time suggests that employers might be seeing some benefits of the move away from full-time but we don’t yet know what those are. 

What’s also interesting is that this increase in part-time positions isn’t restricted to just one field or a singular industry. The Hiring Lab study also found that the beauty and wellness industry experienced the biggest change, with its share of part-time jobs growing by 26 percent. The marketing industry came next with a 10.2 percent growth, with hospitality and tourism, media and communications, and arts and entertainment following the trends in part-time work. More medical-oriented industries saw a decline in part-time roles, which makes sense considering these workers are required to be present at their jobs in a more consistent manner for longer periods. 

What Is the Reason behind the Part-Time Job Growth Trend?

These trends in part-time work are confusing when you have to stop to consider whether employers are making the choice to increase such roles voluntarily or because they believe this is the way to attract and retain talent. While we understand that part-time jobs are increasing, are employers forced to make the switch to balance their labor costs and employee benefits in a more manageable way? This would suggest an economic struggle is underway to keep businesses afloat.

On the other hand, we’re constantly talking about the importance of flexibility within the workplace. If the increase in part-time job positions is occurring because employees are choosing to work multiple side jobs and part-time remote jobs instead of working a single full-time role, then we may be in a new era of work entirely. Greece recently announced its plans to introduce a six-day workweek and allow workers to hold a second part-time role in addition to their full-time role. The shortage of skilled workers prompted the move in the region but it could be indicative of where the global labor market is headed next.

Moonlighting is On the Rise as Employees Turn to Side Jobs

Earlier this year, CNBC reported that over 65 percent of employees were living from paycheck to paycheck. Under such circumstances, if employees want to have some disposable income or save for the future, they have to work multiple jobs. Gen Xers approaching retirement age have agreed that it would take a miracle for them to retire with the economy as it is today, which is all the more reason for younger workers to get a head start on their savings early on. 

As a result, employees have begun moonlighting in greater numbers, working a side job apart from their full-time roles to ensure they meet their income targets. The growth of part-time roles in industries like beauty and wellness and media and communication could also be explained by these particular part-time roles becoming side jobs. A lot of media work or esthetician tasks can be taken up as part-time remote jobs that can be done from the comfort of one’s own home. Remote work simplifies the process of holding multiple jobs and the evident growth of remote work over the last few years could perhaps be linked to the part-time trend we’re seeing today. 

We need more data to draw exact conclusions, but it does appear this could be a reason for the part-time job growth. These workers would be the ones who best benefit from the rise in the number of part-time opportunities, as they can commit to a part-time role as a side job more easily rather than a second full-time role. Do these trends in part-time work aim to support them? We’ll have to wait to see how the trends truly unfold. 

Turning to Online Jobs for Students

Another trend that has been observed is the increase in the number of students who are working side jobs in addition to their studies. BBC reported that over 55 percent of students do paid work in addition to their studies in the UK, working an average of 13.5 hours a week. In certain regions, there is a strict limit on how many hours students are allowed to work per week but for many of them, working as they complete their education is a critical part of their student experience. Some may do it for experience but for the large majority, these weekend jobs and online gigs allow them to handle their everyday finances to a degree.

Some popular online jobs for students include:

• Tutor
• Translator
• Transcriptionist
• Social Media Manager/Content Creator/Influencer
• Freelance Writer/Blogger
• Graphic Designer
• Video Editor
• Voice Actor
• Tester
• Streamer 

Students who are adept at using technology and have some basic knowledge of editing and coding can work as freelancers more easily today, especially through platforms like Fiverr. The trends in part-time work could draw them in to take up more formalized roles rather than working on individual projects as they come in, but it doesn’t seem likely that the entire trend has been done to entice them into working with an organization. Although as freshers they would provide cheaper labor, there are many surrounding circumstances to consider before making the move to include them. 

The part-time job growth has most likely been championed by employers and not reshaped by the preferences of workers who would opt to have one stable, well-paying job, over a hectic scatter of many roles that don’t pay well. Still, it is interesting to consider why employees might be working side jobs or looking at part-time remote jobs to support their everyday needs.

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