Emma Seymour, Deputy’s CFO, gives us an inside look at the latest insights from Deputy’s State of Hourly Work Survey, uncovering why more shift workers are finding financial stability—even with rising living costs.
With flexible schedules, steady shifts, and new tech solutions, workers are better able to manage their finances and balance their work and personal lives. Emma also touches on the growing trend of “poly-employment,” where people juggle multiple jobs to boost income and create stability, explaining the upsides and challenges that come with it.
We also get her thoughts on AI and automation, a big concern for younger workers, and how it’s likely to shape the future of shift work. Finally, Emma shares her own approach to staying balanced as a CFO, including daily routines and habits that help her manage a high-paced role while staying present with family.
Emma, the data from Deputy’s State of Hourly Work Survey shows a positive shift in financial stability for shift workers. What do you think has been the driving force behind this increase, especially considering rising living costs?
Deputy’s survey found that in 2024, many shift workers are not only able to cover their living expenses but also have money to set aside for savings and other investments. The ability to comfortably cover living expenses has grown immensely over the last year — from 25% to 35% between 2023 and 2024.
One factor driving this improvement could be more consistent work schedules as it helps workers better predict and manage their income. This, coupled with businesses embracing flexibility for scheduling, allows workers to balance their shifts with personal needs, which could contribute to this sentiment.
What’s more, many workers have also been holding two or more jobs across shift work industries — known as poly-employment — which could be another driver of increased financial stability. By holding multiple jobs simultaneously, shift workers can earn extra income, likely helping to lessen the financial strain that has come with the cost-of-living crisis.
However, we can’t ignore the fact that rising living costs remain a challenge for many shift workers. While it’s clear we’re seeing positive movement with financial stability, there’s still work to be done to ensure this trend continues.
Poly-employment is on the rise, with 22% of workers juggling multiple jobs for income stability. How do you see this trend evolving, and what are some of the benefits and challenges for workers balancing more than one employer?
Based on our findings, poly-employment, driven by shift workers’ need for flexibility and financial security, seems to be here to stay. As this trend grows, we anticipate a greater need for more scheduling technologies that make managing multiple jobs easier.
The rise of poly-employment could reflect both opportunity and necessity. Shift workers are diversifying their income streams, which can provide greater financial stability, particularly in an uncertain economy. For many, balancing multiple jobs offers the opportunity to upskill and familiarise themselves with new industries. Poly-employment also provides greater flexibility by allowing shift workers to work the hours that suit them best, while still maintaining regular employment levels with a consistent income.
Employers can also benefit from poly-employment as it may boost staff retention and lead to a more satisfied workforce overall. For example, if a business can’t offer workers the amount of hours they’d like, enabling them to seek additional employment that supplements their primary income is a way to keep them on board. This will benefit businesses as it could help to reduce staff turnover, as well as having a cost-saving impact as employers won’t need to invest in higher recruitment and training strategies.
However, the rise of poly-employment doesn’t come without challenges — for both employees and employers. For shift workers, managing multiple schedules could cause burnout, especially if employers aren’t able to provide consistent and predictable hours. This could have greater complications for work-life balance, as shift workers juggle conflicting responsibilities. For businesses, it may become more difficult to roster workers who have competing schedules.
Employers should be aware of this growing trend so they can find ways to better support workers. As poly-employment continues to grow, businesses that adapt to the evolving needs of their workforce will be better positioned to retain talent and support long-term well-being.
With Gen Z being the most concerned about AI’s impact on job security, how do you think the rise of automation is changing the shift work landscape? Are there opportunities that come with these changes as well?
Deputy’s survey found that Gen Z feels the most uneasy about the impact of AI and automation at 21%. This is understandable as they have grown up in a world with rapid technological change and seen first-hand the impact this has on the jobs market. Automation is undoubtedly reshaping the shift work landscape, especially in sectors like healthcare and hospitality where routine tasks are becoming streamlined with technology.
However, while AI presents certain challenges, it also brings opportunities. The technology can reduce repetitive tasks, freeing workers to focus on more engaging and meaningful activities, such as patient care or creative problem-solving. Particularly, Millennials (38%) and Gen X (42%) are generally optimistic about AI and are excited about its benefits in their daily tasks, compared to the more cautious Gen Zs. Sector-wise, AI is best received in Manufacturing (70%) as it helps to boost efficiency and allows workers to focus on higher-value tasks.
The key to adapting to the rise of AI and automation is to ensure that workers are supported with the right training and development opportunities, so they feel prepared and confident for our evolving world of work. Shift workers have been historically underserved by technology compared to white-collar workers and Deputy is on a mission to bring greater access and equity in this area. As more companies are investing in digital transformation, Deputy wants to help be the driver of change for this typically underrepresented group of workers, helping to set them up for success in an increasingly automated world.
As CFO of Deputy, you have a front-row seat to these trends in hourly work. What surprised you the most in this year’s survey, and how do you see this data shaping how businesses support their shift workers moving forward?
What stood out to me the most this year is the significant improvement in financial stability despite ongoing economic challenges. The fact that more workers are now able to cover their living expenses and save money is such a positive shift, showing immense resilience against tough market conditions.
I was also surprised by the different industries people are poly-employed in. Particularly, Education (23%) is the most popular secondary industry for shift workers, and that is perhaps not what most would expect compared to more traditional shift industries like Hospitality and Retail.
The survey reveals that more workers are able to save money despite financial pressures. What role do you think flexible work schedules and technology like Deputy’s platform play in helping workers manage their financial stability?
Based on Deputy’s data, flexible work schedules have become a critical factor in helping workers achieve financial stability. When workers have more control over their shifts, they can take on additional hours or find time for side hustles and similar other income-generating activities. Technology plays a pivotal role here by allowing workers to manage their schedules more efficiently, ensuring they can plan ahead, swap shifts when necessary, and avoid scheduling conflicts.
This kind of visibility and control helps workers avoid any surprises in their income, reducing financial anxiety. The integration of tools like Deputy can also allow better communication between employers and workers, ensuring shifts are filled seamlessly and workers are paid on time.
Overall, streamlined operations can directly impact financial stability as it helps workers maximise their earning potential without sacrificing work-life balance.
For workers who might be feeling uncertain about their financial future or job security, especially with the rise of automation, what advice would you offer to help them navigate these changes and feel more confident in their work-life balance?
My advice to workers navigating uncertainty is to embrace adaptability and continuously seek opportunities to upskill. Automation and AI are changing the nature of work, but they’re also creating new roles and opportunities for those willing to take on the change. Whether it’s learning new technical skills, improving customer relations, or deepening industry-specific knowledge, staying curious and open to learning will be key.
Success in environments with a lot of change comes from being proactive and viewing change not as a threat but as a path to new opportunities.
With so many moving parts in your role as CFO, how do you balance work and life? Do you have any daily routines or habits that help you stay organised and focused while managing such a dynamic role?
Balancing the demands of a CFO role with my personal life can certainly be a challenge, but one I manage by being intentional with my time. For me, it starts with setting clear priorities each morning, ensuring I’m focused on what will move the needle. I block specific times during the day for deep work, limiting distractions so I can fully concentrate on strategic tasks without interruptions.
In the evenings, I like to unwind with a walk so I can clear my mind and redirect my attention to family time. To me, this is sacred and non-negotiable. I’m committed to being present with my daughter, so once I log off from work I am fully engaged with her. On weekends, I enjoy cooking — it’s relaxing and a great way to bring family together. These routines keep me grounded and allow me to approach each day with renewed focus.
