For more than one in three Canadian workers, a full-time job no longer pays the bills. That’s the stark takeaway from the inaugural Annual Jobs Report: Work in Motion, released today by Employment Hero (formerly Humi).
The study, based on a YouGov survey of 3,600 workers across Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, highlights a trend Employment Hero calls “poly-employment”—the rise of workers patching together multiple jobs to survive.
From Ambition to Survival
While gig work and side hustles once signaled ambition, the report suggests that for many Canadians, juggling multiple roles is simply about survival. Thirty-five percent of full-time Canadian workers now hold more than one job, citing rising costs of living as the driving factor.
“When Canadians are working 40 hours a week and still can’t pay the bills, it’s not just an economic headline—it’s a human story and a wake-up call,” said Kevin Kliman, President of Canadian business at Employment Hero. “For many, poly-employment is not about ambition. It’s about survival.”
The human toll is clear in stories like Brigitta, a Calgary-based full-time employee who works evenings and weekends at two additional jobs. “My full-time salary alone does not cover all my expenses, so additional work is non-negotiable,” she said. “The number of supplemental hours I work in a month directly determines whether I can afford groceries.”
Less Pressure, More Security
The report also reveals shifting worker priorities. Over half of Canadian employees (53%) say they would prefer a job with less pressure or responsibility. That appetite is strongest in Quebec (60%) and weakest in Atlantic Canada (47%). Younger workers are split: those aged 25–34 are prioritizing well-being over promotions, while 62% of 18–24-year-olds say they’re putting in longer hours to get ahead—whether that’s ambition or necessity is less clear.
One theme runs consistent: a desire for security. Only 2% of Canadian workers surveyed want to work at a startup, while 22% say their ideal job would be self-employment—suggesting stability and independence are now prized over risk-taking.
The Bigger Picture
Employment Hero’s findings align with broader labour market trends. Statistics Canada has reported persistent wage stagnation and affordability challenges despite record-low unemployment in recent years. Meanwhile, the gig economy continues to expand, blurring the line between career choice and economic compulsion.
For employers, Kliman argues, the report is both a warning and a playbook: “A steady paycheque isn’t the safety net it once was. Canadians are telling us they want security and control. Employers can answer that not just through pay, but by listening, building skills, and creating workplaces where people feel safe.”
Why It Matters for HR Leaders
The rise of poly-employment poses challenges for HR and business leaders alike: higher burnout risk, lower employee loyalty, and increased complexity around compliance and benefits. At the same time, it signals opportunities for companies willing to design roles and policies that recognize workers’ need for flexibility, stability, and mental health support.
Employment Hero plans to publish its Jobs Report series regularly, aiming to track how these workforce dynamics evolve over time. If the debut edition is any indication, Canadian employers should be bracing for a reality where one job simply isn’t enough.
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Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Public relations, investor relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX network. Business Wire’s global newsrooms are available to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media worldwide.
