While some may see polyworking as juggling side jobs with a full-time job, Abhishek clarifies that it actually involves managing two or more full-time roles. He is not alone in this lifestyle: 28-year-old Maria Perez from Abu Dhabi balances her work as both an HR consultant and an e-learning content creator. Her weekdays and weekends are packed and holidays are a luxury. “It’s tight, but I need the income to make ends meet. Hopefully, in a year or so, I wouldn’t need a second job.”

Unlike Abhishek and Perez, Krisha Hurst, an Abu Dhabi-based content creator and interior designer, likes polyworking and sees it as a path to psychological satisfaction. “I love working in both fields and I’ve managed without much hassle and still get to spend time with my two children,” she says.

Considered the evolution of the “portfolio career” or “slasher lifestyle,” polyworking is the practice of managing multiple roles or projects simultaneously. In the U.S. alone, nearly 46 percent of the workforce has adopted polyworking, and another 36 percent plan to join, according to research from U.S.-based tech firm Owl Labs.

Helen Broderick, a Dubai-based wellness entrepreneur and psychologist notes several factors driving this trend. For starters, the shift to telecommuting during the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, as employees began using time once spent commuting to explore additional income-generating activities. Advances in technology and the growth of gig economy roles further fueled this shift, allowing professionals to move seamlessly between multiple roles – all from the comfort of their homes.

Juggling different jobs can also have several benefits. “For many, it provides a sense of financial resilience, by diversifying income streams, reducing the risk of financial hardship, if a job is lost,” explains Broderick. Undoubtedly, engaging in many jobs also hones a diverse skill set, fueling an individual’s marketability and opening doors to diverse careers. “Furthermore, quite often, the balancing of different roles helps to break the monotony and allow people to pursue their passions and reduce the risk of burnout, even. It can extend greater control over their schedules and career paths, promoting the balance between work and privacy.”

Ultimately, you have to make it work with your life, because doing too much of anything or working too many hours on anything can put you at risk of burnout…

– Natasha Hatherall-Shaw, entrepreneur

Natasha Hatherall-Shaw, CEO of TishTash Company, who also holds multiple roles, echoes a similar sentiment. “It’s definitely on the rise. I see this with my own team at work, many of whom are working on their own concepts or as travel advisors to make extra money or achieve some other time on their own terms.”

Shaw doesn’t have much of a problem with polyworking, as long as there is no conflict with the regular job and everything is delivered. “Ultimately, you have to make it work with your life, because doing too much of anything or working too many hours on anything can put you at risk of burnout,” Shaw surmises. “But I guess the idea is that if you’re doing some different and varied things, maybe that’s not the case, because you’re spread across different roles and maybe you feel fulfilled and happy?”

For some, polyworking offers freedom and satisfaction, but for others it is a matter of survival. Geetanjali Mitra, a marketing manager in Dubai, claims: “I don’t think there is such a simple answer as to whether or not polyworking benefits anyone. Earlier I had two very difficult jobs as a single mother to support both my children. Now I have moved on to better, flexible jobs, so it’s easier, but it’s not so easy and the same for so many others.”

Imagine juggling multiple jobs and inadvertently delaying tasks for one because you had to prioritize the other. This is one of the challenges of polyworking. Gary Pheiffer, assistant professor of psychology at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, explains that polyworking can create ambiguity around commitment and loyalty, leading to tensions. “It can be unclear where an individual’s priorities lie, raising concerns about their commitment and focus. This complexity can complicate relationships in the workplace,” he says.

In addition, polyworking can split professional identity, he says. Traditionally, people tend to align their identity with an organization, which fosters loyalty and a sense of belonging. However, multiple jobs lead to competing identities, which can dilute a person’s sense of purpose and cohesion.

Balancing multiple roles is no cakewalk: Claire Jansen, a Dubai-based British expat, recalls how her attempts to juggle her health profession and event management “failed spectacularly”. “I realized, how could I give advice to someone else when I myself was in such an exhausted state?”

As she and Pheiffer agree, balancing multiple roles results in role conflict, especially if different jobs have conflicting demands or values. “For example, one employer may prioritize strict confidentiality, while another emphasizes transparency,” adds Pheiffer. Navigating these different expectations can create stress and fatigue as people constantly adapt to meet the unique needs of each role. “With multiple jobs often comes multiple work schedules, which can blur the lines between work and private time. While polyworking offers flexibility, it can also create an ‘always working’ mindset, making it harder to disconnect and recharge. It constant switching between roles can leave people feeling exhausted, which ultimately affects their mental health.”

With multiple jobs often comes multiple work schedules, which can blur the lines between work and personal time. While polyworking offers flexibility, it can also create an “always working” mindset, making it harder to disconnect and recharge

– Gary Pheiffer, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Heriot-Watt University Dubai

In addition, conflict can arise when demands from different jobs clash, leading to excessive stress. Frequent changes in focus can lead to cognitive overload and exhaustion. This is particularly harmful for people who lack strong coping strategies or time management skills, he adds.

Moreover, another strong reality of polyworking is that it can even hinder skill development and career development. “By spreading time and energy across multiple roles, polyworkers may find it difficult to gain deep expertise in one area, potentially hindering long-term career growth, especially in areas where specialization is valued. The dispersed focus may mean fewer opportunities for mentoring, professional development or a clear path in any industry, which can deter those who value a structured career path, he says.

For example, Adyasha Guha, a media professional, recalls a poly-working employee who was constantly late for work due to her prior commitments. “Her punctuality suffered and later her work did, as the workload of her other job intensified, and she really struggled between the two. More than just the big professional mistakes that happened, I was also concerned about her health, because she was just so confused.”

That’s what polyworking can do, if you’re not careful, she says. It just burns you out.

Constantly switching between roles requires a certain level of adaptability and mental energy, which can lead to fatigue if not managed effectively. Pheiffer explains some steps that can reduce the risk of burnout, “They should be able to set clear boundaries, establish realistic workload expectations, and prioritize self-care.” When you have effective time management, structured schedules can help maintain balance, while employers can support poly workers by offering flexible hours and resources that promote well-being.

So if you’re interested in the idea, here are a few things to consider before diving headfirst into polyworking:

Understand your motivation

Clarify why you are interested in polyworking. Are you striving for financial stability, skill diversification or creative fulfillment? Knowing your “why” can help you prioritize roles that align with your goals and values.

Time management and boundaries

Polyworking requires strong time management. Set realistic schedules, including defined start and end times for each role, and make sure you can log out of each role to avoid burnout. So preferably avoid being too ambitious and take on multiple intensive jobs that require your bandwidth and time.

Employer transparency and compliance

Check with your employers to confirm any non-compete or conflict of interest policies. Being transparent with your primary employers can prevent misunderstandings and foster trust, especially if the roles may overlap.

Consider your energy levels

Balancing multiple roles can be exhausting. Consider how each role affects your energy and mental focus. Try to alternate tasks that require different types of energy, creative versus analytical, for example, to prevent burnout.

Invest in productivity tools

Use productivity tools like time tracking apps, task managers, and communication platforms to help you stay organized. Tools can help you streamline your tasks and allow you to manage multiple responsibilities without dropping the ball.

Set financial and career goals

Multitasking can be time-consuming, so evaluate whether the financial or career benefits of each role justify the effort. Set short-term and long-term goals to assess whether polyworking serves your personal and financial growth.

Plan for flexibility and growth

Your goals and capabilities may change, so remain open to adapting your roles. Regularly evaluate whether each role still aligns with your priorities and be prepared to shift focus as needed.