Women are working multiple shift jobs to boost their income as they face greater financial instability than their male colleagues.
An analysis of more than 700,000 shift workers across hospitality, retail, health care and services found women’s share of shift-work hours grew in 2024.
Yet female shift workers were still five per cent more likely than men to struggle with living expenses, and nine per cent more likely to have unpredictable work schedules.
The annual Big Shift report, compiled by workforce management platform Deputy, found women faced greater financial insecurity and more unpredictable schedules, despite making up the majority of Australia’s shift workforce.
Women were also less likely to switch jobs than men, with 24 per cent actively seeking new employment compared with 27 per cent of their male colleagues.
They are instead working multiple jobs simultaneously to make ends meet, known as poly-employment, with nearly 60 per cent of all poly-workers being female.
“It’s a symptom of women typically having more responsibilities around the home and with their family so they need to structure their day differently,” Deputy chief financial officer Emma Seymour told AAP.
“The trade off of poly-employment means women can supplement their income but maintain flexibility and how they choose to work.”
Women make up the majority of the healthcare workforce, accounting for 79 per cent of workers, but there are limited opportunities for growth with the number of female shift work hours only increasing by one per cent in 2024.
While overall healthcare shift pay grew by six per cent compared to 2023, men’s earnings increased by nine per cent, outpacing women.
Hourly wages showed a similar gap, with men’s pay rising by six per cent compared to five per cent for women.
“Australia’s shift workforce relies on women, yet we systematically undermine their financial security and job stability,” Deputy chief executive Silvija Martincevic said.
“It’s no longer just about inequality with the female workforce, it’s a strategic failure.”