Experiences with multiple job holding: a qualitative study among Dutch older workers

Abstract

BackgroundMultiple job holding (MJH) is a common and growing phenomenon in many countries. Little is known about experiences with MJH among older workers. The objective of the present study is to gain insight in experiences with MJH among Dutch workers aged 45 years and older.MethodsMultiple job holders were selected from the Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability, and Motivation (STREAM), a Dutch cohort study among persons aged 45 years and older. Purposive sampling was applied to assure heterogeneity regarding gender, educational level, health, financial situation, willingness to continue MJH, and type of MJH (only jobs as employee or also being self-employed). Interviews were conducted until data saturation occurred. Fifteen multiple job holders participated in this study (eight men, seven women). Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed, along with field notes, using thematic content analysis. The data were openly coded, after which codes were aggregated into themes, which formed a thematic map. In each phase of the analysis at least two researchers were involved to increase reliability.ResultsExperiences with MJH varied from positive to negative. They were influenced by characteristics of individual jobs, e.g. social support at work, as well as characteristics of the combination of jobs, e.g. positive spill-over effects, and conflicts between work schedules. The personal context of multiple job holders, e.g. their age, or reason for MJH, affected how work characteristics influenced experiences. Negative experiences with one job often coincided with negative experience in the other job(s), and problems in the personal context. Some multiple job holders were able to make changes to their situation when desired. For some, this was not possible, which augmented their negative experience.ConclusionsThis study adds to existing knowledge that experiences with MJH are not only influenced by work characteristics but also by the personal context of multiple job holders, and that some workers are able to change their situation when desired, while others are not. Future research should study how different combinations of work and personal characteristics influence sustainable employability of multiple job holders. Policies facilitating life-long learning could increase opportunities to change the MJH situation when desired.

Multiple-job holding is not a type of precarious employment

“…In contrast to this vulnerable group of multiple-job holders, other groups of multiple-job holders experienced benefits from holding multiple jobs (9). These findings have been confirmed in a qualitative study in which we found that some multi-jobbers only experienced benefits of multiple-job holding, eg, positive spill-over effects between jobs: networks established or skills learned in one job that can be used in others (10).…”

Distinguishing groups and exploring health differences among multiple job holders aged 45 years and older

“…In addition, vulnerable multiple job holders had lower levels of mastery and worse household financial situation than multiple job holders in other groups. Previous qualitative research has suggested that feelings of mastery and a favorable financial situation are important resources for multiple job holders, enabling them to change their work situation, e.g., find one or more different jobs, if they are dissatisfied (Bouwhuis et al 2018). Policies aimed at increasing these resources, e.g., life-long learning (Van Der Heijden et al 2009), may improve sustainable employability among vulnerable multiple job holders, since it may provide them with skills and self-efficacy needed to find a different job.…”

“…Because of the size of our study population, we have chosen to use 5% as a threshold for usefulness, which equals a minimum of N = 35 respondents in each class. Interpretability is related to the extent to which individual classes and the overall k classes solution are interpretable in light of earlier research or hypotheses on groups of multiple job holders (Bouwhuis et al 2018;Rouault 2002).…”

“…A recent qualitative study found three groups of multiple job holders, one of which mainly experienced advantages of MJH. Another group mainly experienced disadvantages and the third group did experienced advantages nor disadvantages (Bouwhuis et al 2018). Another study has conceptualized, but not empirically studied, profiles of multiple job holders.…”

“…These two studies have suggested characteristics that may cluster in different groups of multiple job holders, i.e., reasons for MJH, experiences with MJH, job characteristics, and personal context. Having multiple jobs out of financial necessity seems to cluster with negative experiences with MJH, not being satisfied with the jobs (Bouwhuis et al 2018), a lack of personal resources to change their situation such as qualifications, self-efficacy, and finances (Rouault 2002), and a lack of a personal support system such as a partner (Bouwhuis et al 2018). …”