More than 200,000 Londoners had more than one job in 2024. Multiple job holding has become more common over the past decade, growing from 147,000 in 2014 to 201,000 in 2024.
With average rent hitting £2,206 a month, up 11.6% from last year, and Londoners spending over 40% of their income on housing, it’s no surprise many are clocking into a second shift after hours.
The trend, known as polygamous working, is spreading fast. Fraud prevention service Cifas found that nearly one in five UK employees admit to secretly holding down two jobs, and almost a quarter think it’s “justifiable”.
Rachael Tiffen, Director of Learning and Public Sector at Cifas, warns that “Polygamous working is a serious red flag that poses many significant risks for both the employee and their organisation. It isn’t a quirky side hustle trend.”
Online forums are filled with Londoners admitting to “double jobbing” to cover rent or support families. They are not moonlighting for fun. They are just trying to keep the lights on.
London thread on Reddit (Source – Reddit)
But in London, where wages lag far behind the cost of living, the ethics feel less black and white.
Elena, 34, has been living in North West London for the past 10 years. In 2023, she splits her time between two jobs. Store manager during the day, and waitress during the night, both full-time roles.
“I log off one laptop and walk straight into a shift,” she says. “It was exhausting, but that was the only way to pay bills, save up, and move into a one-bedroom apartment.”
Cifas warns that employers are tightening screening and monitoring to curb the trend.
“No matter what you do, there’s always a problem. If you don’t work, you’re seen as lazy and told to get a job. If you do work, you don’t qualify for support or benefits. And if you work two jobs, because one income isn’t enough to live decently in London, suddenly it’s treated as something suspicious or even fraudulent. It’s absurd.” Elena continues, “Sometimes people are just doing their best to survive in a city that keeps getting harder to live in.”
When her last shift finishes, Elena walks home, cooks something quick, and collapses on the sofa. “Sometimes I wonder if this city even wants people like me to stay,” she says.
In 2025 London, ambition isn’t dying. It’s working overtime.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineDouble Jobbing: The New Normal in London’s Cost-of-Living Crisis
Short HeadlineTwo Jobs. Two Bosses. One London Rent
StandfirstFor many Londoners, the dream of success now comes with a double shift
More than 200,000 Londoners had more than one job in 2024. Multiple job holding has become more common over the past decade, growing from 147,000 in 2014 to 201,000 in 2024.
With average rent hitting £2,206 a month, up 11.6% from last year, and Londoners spending over 40% of their income on housing, it’s no surprise many are clocking into a second shift after hours.
The trend, known as polygamous working, is spreading fast. Fraud prevention service Cifas found that nearly one in five UK employees admit to secretly holding down two jobs, and almost a quarter think it’s “justifiable”.
Rachael Tiffen, Director of Learning and Public Sector at Cifas, warns that “Polygamous working is a serious red flag that poses many significant risks for both the employee and their organisation. It isn’t a quirky side hustle trend.”
Online forums are filled with Londoners admitting to “double jobbing” to cover rent or support families. They are not moonlighting for fun. They are just trying to keep the lights on.
London thread on Reddit (Source – Reddit)
But in London, where wages lag far behind the cost of living, the ethics feel less black and white.
Elena, 34, has been living in North West London for the past 10 years. In 2023, she splits her time between two jobs. Store manager during the day, and waitress during the night, both full-time roles.
“I log off one laptop and walk straight into a shift,” she says. “It was exhausting, but that was the only way to pay bills, save up, and move into a one-bedroom apartment.”
Cifas warns that employers are tightening screening and monitoring to curb the trend.
“No matter what you do, there’s always a problem. If you don’t work, you’re seen as lazy and told to get a job. If you do work, you don’t qualify for support or benefits. And if you work two jobs, because one income isn’t enough to live decently in London, suddenly it’s treated as something suspicious or even fraudulent. It’s absurd.” Elena continues, “Sometimes people are just doing their best to survive in a city that keeps getting harder to live in.”
When her last shift finishes, Elena walks home, cooks something quick, and collapses on the sofa. “Sometimes I wonder if this city even wants people like me to stay,” she says.
In 2025 London, ambition isn’t dying. It’s working overtime.
