Remote Workers More Likely to Pursue Side Hustles, LinkedIn Survey Reveals
Staff Editor Remote Workers More Likely to Have Side Gigs, LinkedIn Survey Reveals
A recent LinkedIn survey has uncovered that remote workers are slightly more inclined to engage in side hustles compared to their in-person or hybrid counterparts. The findings suggest that the flexibility of remote work may provide additional time for supplementary income-generating activities such as consulting or rideshare driving.
The LinkedIn Workforce Confidence survey, which polled 8,606 U.S. professionals, found that 34% of remote workers reported having side gigs, compared to 29% of office-based employees. The trend appears to be more pronounced among those with flexible work arrangements, with freelancers (52%) and contractors or self-employed workers (46%) reporting higher rates of side gig participation.
Common side hustles among remote workers include consulting, rideshare driving, and rental property management. The reduction in commuting time for remote workers may contribute to their ability to pursue these additional income streams.
While remote work seems to facilitate side gigs, it’s worth noting that commuting trends are evolving. INRIX data indicates an increase in supercommuting (traveling over 75 miles) and long commutes (over 40 miles) in major cities, potentially impacting the time available for side hustles among in-person workers.
The relationship between remote work and productivity remains a topic of debate. Some studies suggest that employees with flexible work locations are more productive, with a Great Place to Work survey indicating that workers with location flexibility tend to exceed expectations and maintain better relationships with their bosses. However, conflicting data exists, with Stanford economists reporting a 10% lower productivity for fully remote work compared to in-person arrangements.
As the landscape of work continues to evolve, both remote and in-person workers are finding innovative ways to maximize their income. Some are turning to content creation or selling on platforms like Etsy, while others are leveraging real estate opportunities. The trend of “overemployment,” where remote workers manage multiple jobs to achieve six-figure incomes, has also gained attention.
As the debate on remote work productivity and side gigs continues, it’s clear that the changing nature of work is providing new opportunities for workers to diversify their income streams and manage their careers in increasingly flexible ways.
