Side hustles are increasingly affecting workplace performance in Dubai, HR professionals warn, as more young employees juggle multiple roles amid rising living costs and shifting career expectations.
Nearly six in 10 Gen Z workers and almost half of Millennials now have a side hustle, according to a Harris Poll. A 2024 Glassdoor–Harris survey found that 39 per cent of employees take on additional work to supplement their income, rising to 57 per cent for Gen Z and 48 per cent for Millennials.
While ambition and flexibility play a role, the trend in Dubai is also driven by wage stagnation, higher rents, and changing definitions of work, security, and success.
Jessie Joy, Head of HR and Administration at Magnitude Creative, said side hustles have become more common with the growth of remote and hybrid work models.
“One job is no longer seen as the sole source of stability,” she said. “Taking on extra work is often a practical response to inflation, housing costs, education fees, or family responsibilities.”
Joy noted that many Gen Z workers begin part-time jobs while still in school and continue even after securing full-time employment, as it offers additional income and a sense of security.
However, she warned that juggling multiple commitments can lead to burnout. “We see employees arriving late, leaving early, requesting unscheduled leave, or appearing distracted due to lack of rest. Over time, this affects engagement, loyalty, and long-term sustainability — not because employees don’t care, but because they are overworked.”
Hemant Jain, an executive and career transformation coach in Dubai, said Millennials often view side hustles as a backup plan in case of sudden job loss, while Gen Z sees them as low-risk experiments to explore career interests.
“In both cases, people underestimate the time and energy required,” Jain said. “This can negatively affect attentiveness and commitment to their primary job.”
He added that side hustles pose a challenge for employers because they are rarely disclosed. “Many organisations fail to identify the root cause of performance issues because these additional roles are not openly discussed.”
For many young professionals, side hustles are about more than extra income — they provide security, skills, and future resilience.
“Like many people my age, I took on a side hustle to feel more secure about my future,” said Aisha Haddad, a 24-year-old Syrian expatriate. “My freelance work helps me support my family back home while building skills my full-time job wouldn’t give me.”
Rising expenses are also a key motivator. Tejasvi Sandeep Gurjar, a 22-year-old fashion marketer, said higher rents and commodity prices are pushing young workers to seek alternative income streams.
“The price hikes really pinch,” she said. “Many in my generation are investing or taking on freelance work to manage expenses and protect their financial future.”
Concerns about artificial intelligence and technological disruption are further shaping career strategies, Gurjar added, prompting many young professionals to diversify income sources through multiple freelance roles.
Source: Khaleej Times
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
