Nearly half of Poles (47%) have a side job in addition to their main employment, and among the rest, as many as 56% express the desire or need to take one on, according to a study by SW Research commissioned by Job Impulse. The report suggests that side jobs are no longer just occasional work but a lasting feature of the Polish labor market. In the face of rising living costs and economic uncertainty, they are increasingly seen as a strategy to build financial security.
From Occasional Work to Mainstream Activity
For most working Poles, extra work is no longer a stopgap measure. More than half of those with side jobs (56%) do it regularly—weekly or several times a month. Only 28% treat it as occasional work, while 16% run their own businesses. This signals that side employment has entered the mainstream of professional activity.
“The scale of side jobs in Poland may be surprising. As a temporary work agency, we observe steady growth in demand for part-time or flexible work. Contrary to stereotypes, it is not just people with low incomes or no higher education. Half of respondents with university degrees take on side work, and as many as 58% of respondents earning more than PLN 7,000 net do so as well. Side jobs are a strategy for increasing income, developing skills, and building financial security. In uncertain economic and geopolitical times, many people want to create a financial cushion for harder days,” commented Łukasz Koszczoł, CEO of Job Impulse and member of the Polish HR Forum.
Financial Security as the Top Motivation
The leading motivation for taking on side jobs is financial security, cited by 49% of respondents. Almost as many (46%) said they want extra money for leisure activities, while 28% need additional income to cover basic needs. Another 27% are motivated by pursuing passions, and 22% by debt repayment.
Differences emerge between income groups. Among those earning up to PLN 3,000 net, the top reasons are financial security (57%), leisure (43%), and basic needs (38%). In the highest-earning group (above PLN 7,000 net), security remains a priority (44%), but aspirations—spending on leisure (44%), pursuing passions (31%), and paying off loans (28%)—are equally strong.
Age also influences motivations. Those aged 26–34 more often work extra to fund leisure (54% vs. 47% for 35–49 and 41% for 50+), and to support their own education (17% vs. 12% and 7%). For the 50+ group, financial security dominates (56%), while among those aged 35–49, children’s education is a common motivation (18%).
“While motivations vary by age and income, the need for financial security is central across all groups. Notably, financing basic needs is still a key factor—especially for rural residents, lower-income households, and the youngest adults. Although side jobs are common among better-off individuals too, for nearly one-third of Poles they remain a necessity, not a lifestyle choice,” said Koszczoł.
Side Jobs From Home
The form of side work matters. Remote work is the most popular choice—45% of respondents with side jobs perform tasks from home. Among those who do not yet have extra work but would like to, three-quarters would prefer remote opportunities. This aligns with global trends toward platform-based employment and task-oriented jobs. Physical labor (26%) and hourly services, such as elder care or tutoring (25%), are also common.
Gender and age differences are clear. Men more often take physical jobs (34% vs. 19% of women), while women dominate in hourly services (31% vs. 19%).
Additional Tasks at Work vs. Overtime Costs
An interesting HR-related insight is the demand for extra tasks within current workplaces. While 21% of those with side jobs already do them at their primary jobs, 41% of those who would like extra work said they would prefer to do it in their current companies. This signals an opportunity for employers to design internal systems for flexible additional assignments.
“Employees want flexibility and space to earn more within their organizations. For employers, this is a chance to manage staff more dynamically. But there are challenges: if additional work cannot be formalized via civil contracts, it often means overtime—costing employers 150–200% of base wages. The more rational solution may be temporary work agencies, which help meet staffing needs without overstretching budgets,” Koszczoł explained.
How Poles Find Side Jobs
Family and friend recommendations remain the most common source of side jobs (52%). Online portals and apps are used by 46%, while 29% turn to social media. Direct applications to companies account for 23%, and temporary work agencies 17%. Younger respondents (26–34) more often use social media (41%), while older respondents (50+) rely on direct recommendations (63%).
A Permanent Feature of the Labor Market
Overall, side jobs in Poland represent a diverse phenomenon. For some, they are a necessity to cover rising living costs; for others, they are a way to pursue aspirations, gain experience, or enhance their lifestyle. The findings show that side jobs have become a permanent feature of the labor market. Their prevalence should be considered both in HR strategies and in broader discussions on the future of employment and household finances.
About the Study
The study was conducted by SW Research for Job Impulse in September 2025 using CAWI (online survey) on a sample of 1,400 Polish adults over 26 years of age.
Source: CEO.com.pl
