Gen-Z are ditching 9-5 working days for new 'income stacking' trend

Sometimes, one job just doesn't give you what you want, and Gen Z is doing something about that.

There have been reported differences in the way each generation thinks about work.

From Millennial hustle culture to Gen Z being quite obviously not about that life.

There's Boomers who stay in one role forever, and then there's everyone in between.

But the latest people swooping into the workplace aren't doing it in a way we've seen before.

They're rejecting the idea of a 9-5 work week and are instead doing something known as 'income stacking'.

You've probably heard of habit stacking, which is where people learn to adopt new habits to their routines by attaching them to preexisting ones that are working.

Similarly, people are doing the same for work.

Gen Z are working different (Getty Stock Images)

As reported by CNBC, it’s the practice of 'taking on multiple jobs to build financial security' by the way of a 'side hustle or freelance work on top of a full-time job, or several part-time roles'.

For anyone outside of Gen Z, this is pretty much the Millennial 'portfolio career', which sees a person take on multiple part-time roles to culminate in one good income where they get to do different things, work flexible hours, and live out their passions.

While not a new thing, it's certainly rising in popularity with the younger folk, which the Fast Company puts down to the cost of living.

It reported: “Gen Z isn’t buying into what they see as a broken social contract, where a linear path up the career ladder is the most reliable route to success and financial stability."

CNBC spoke with student Timeka Gomillion, who works two part-time jobs on the side of her degree.

She said: " One job would be easier, but I know that if I have another one, that’s a check I can either put to the side or could just be my play money."

It's because of money (Getty Stock Images)

Research has found that because of its financial support for people who want to work but with multiple streams, it has become popular particularly among young women aged 16 to 29.

Per research published by the UK Women’s Budget Group last year, using HMRC payroll and self-reported survey data, one in four have worked in more than one job over the course of a year.

Studies have been showing that the jobs market is soon to get into trouble, with a recession apparently looming ahead.

One survey predicts a recession will take place and end up with a quarter of a million people losing their jobs by the middle of 2027.

So having one job is a risk Gen Z just isn't willing to take.

But others are following suit.

1.35 million adults in the UK are currently working two jobs, which is the highest number since tracking of it began, according to the ONS.

According to the research, one in six of those people also struggle to pay their household bills.