"Pay Cut" Office Workers Seeking Second and Third Jobs Amid COVID-19

One in Three Office Workers "Suffered Economic Damage Due to COVID-19"
From Part-Time Jobs to SNS Management... Office Workers Seeking Side Jobs
Experts Say "Phenomenon Due to Economic Downturn and Trend Changes... Will Spread Further"

Citizens are walking wearing masks at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Gayeon] # Kang (29), an office worker, recently started a part-time job at a cafe near his home. This was due to reduced working hours caused by the implementation of flexible work arrangements amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Kang stated that he chose to take on a second job to make ends meet after his wages decreased due to reduced working hours. He said, "Although it was brief, there was also an unpaid leave period, and since I was working from home, overtime and special work allowances naturally disappeared. Fixed expenses like rent, food, living costs, and student loan payments remained the same, but my income decreased, so it was tough. The part-time income isn't large, but it's definitely better than not working at all."

As the COVID-19 situation prolongs, the number of 'two-jobbers' who juggle their main job with side jobs such as YouTube, SNS management, delivery, and substitute driving is increasing. This is because more office workers are experiencing economic difficulties due to reduced working hours and wage cuts. They are seeking additional jobs to sustain their livelihoods amid employment insecurity and income reduction caused by COVID-19. Experts also analyze that increased leisure time due to remote work and flexible work systems has contributed to this trend.

A survey shows that one in three office workers suffered economic damage due to COVID-19.

According to a survey conducted in August by the Graduate School of Public Health at Seoul National University on 2,000 adults regarding 'Job and wage changes due to COVID-19,' one in three respondents answered that they "lost their job or experienced a wage reduction." Among them, 6.4% responded that they "lost their job due to COVID-19," and 20.7% said they "did not lose their job but experienced a wage reduction."

Especially, during the social distancing period in March and April, 68% of respondents reported a decrease in income. The average reduction was 20.9%.

Office workers are hurrying along. Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, many office workers are turning to side jobs. According to a survey, three out of ten office workers are 'N-jobbers' holding two or more jobs.

On the 16th of last month, job portal JobKorea, together with Albamon, surveyed 1,600 office workers about their perception and status of 'N-jobbers.' The results showed that 30.3% answered, "I am currently an N-jobber." Their current side jobs included 'offline part-time jobs such as cafe work, academy teaching, and substitute driving' (37.7%), 'online part-time jobs such as blogging and content creation' (28.5%), 'one-person cell markets through SNS' (13.4%), and 'offline startups' (10.3%).

Respondents cited reasons for choosing N-jobs such as "increased interest in startups due to the economic downturn and employment market slump caused by COVID-19 spread" and "increased interest in jobs without retirement age."

Kang (27), an office worker at an advertising company, said, "I earn additional income through managing SNS." Kang added, "I had an existing account, and luckily, as my followers increased, I received product sponsorships and small advertisements. Although my salary hasn't decreased nor have my working hours been reduced yet, since the job market is so unstable, I thought it would be good to prepare an alternative path in advance."

Experts predict that the N-job trend among office workers will continue to spread further.

Professor Kim Taegi of Dankook University's Department of Economics said, "The tendency to take on two or three jobs will inevitably expand further," and analyzed, "I believe this trend will continue even after the COVID-19 pandemic."

Professor Kim explained, "While income reduction and economic downturn have some influence, the impact of changing trends is greater. As remote work becomes a standard working environment, people have more free time and greater opportunities to try N-jobs. In other countries, labor forms that combine main jobs and side jobs, such as 'double jobs' and 'mini jobs,' are increasing. I expect diverse complex working forms where workers are also business owners to emerge."