June 18, 2025
One in ten UK workers take on side jobs while working from home
New research suggests that around one in ten full time employees working from home in the UK have taken on a side job, with a significant number managing their additional work during normal working hours for their main employer. The study, commissioned by the Global Payroll Alliance (GPA), surveyed over 2,400 UK workers who work from home at least some of the time. It found that 71 percent of full-time employees still work remotely to some degree, and around 20 percent now do so full-time.
This continued shift towards working from home appears to have blurred the lines between primary employment and other professional activity. Ten percent of those surveyed said they now earn income from a second job or business. While only 1 percent claimed to work full-time for another employer, more than a quarter (26 percent) are doing so part-time, and 72 percent are earning additional income through freelance work or their own ventures.
More than a third (34 percent) of those with a side hustle admitted to working on it during their contracted hours for their main job. In most cases, the financial return is modest. Around 64 percent of respondents said their second source of income contributes up to 5 percent of their total annual earnings, while a further 19 percent said it accounts for up to 10 percent. However, for some, these activities are a significant income stream. Fourteen percent said their side work makes up as much as a quarter of their annual income, with a small minority (3 percent) reporting that it accounts for up to half or more.
Despite the potential for workload issues, many workers say the arrangement is manageable. Forty-two percent described balancing multiple roles as “easy”, and another 37 percent said it was “workable”. Only one in five respondents said they found it stressful or difficult.
For those who did encounter challenges, the most common issue was avoiding burnout (29 percent), followed by managing their schedule (15 percent). Interestingly, only 1 percent said their productivity in their main job had suffered, while 11 percent said maintaining performance in their side role was more difficult.
The use of artificial intelligence tools may also be playing a role. Around 15 percent of respondents said they use AI platforms like ChatGPT to help complete their work more efficiently.
