Time proprietors back employees side hustles
By PD columnist, July 23, 2022The last three years have had devastating effects on workers’ incomes after Covid-19 pushed 150 million people into extreme poverty and coming hot on heels, another 71 million more have in the last four months joined the poverty bracket globally as a result of soaring food and energy prices occasioned by Russian’s invasion of Ukraine.
Data from the World Bank and United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) paints an even grimmer future for people living in low-income countries. Struggling companies are expected to lay off even more employees and others are unable to restore salary cuts occasioned by Covid-19, thus leaving even the few employed struggling to make ends meet. With constrained pay, more and more employees are joining the side hustle economy to earn an extra coin. This underscores the importance of such incomes in the prevailing tough economic times.
The side hustle economy, experts say, holds such huge potential for growth of lifting masses out of poverty. With this in mind, calls for employees to engage in side hustles are intensifying globally, with some employers encouraging their staff to discover, develop and monetise their talents.
In the past, having your staff work outside their regular 8-to-5 workday was considered a threat to businesses. However, with the coming of the digital age and the realisation that people can work remotely, employees have more opportunities now than ever to engage in side hustles. As such, progressive employers should encourage their workers to ride the wave as long as they remain productive and their side hustles do not jeopardise their productivity.
The post-Covid-19 work landscape is very different from the norm, with many employers appreciating that flexible and hybrid working models are beneficial to employees’ well-being. These models have given employees the freedom to pursue not only leisure activities but other forms of income-generating hobbies, which then bridge income gaps occasioned by pay cuts. This is a route other employers should consider.
Studies show that doing so helps workers find relief from their normal work pressure and routines, which is great for their mental health. In the long run, it is also good for employers as it brings newly learned skills to the organisation.
We agree with Inc.Africa, a publication that champions private business in Africa and which encourages employers to support their staff when they engage in side gigs.
The question is: Are Kenyan employers ready for the new future of work?