Gen Z is credited with creating flexibility and work-life balance strategies to replace outdated workplace norms. Two examples are microshifting and sidequests. The majority of the American workforce (71%), following Gen Z’s lead, is jumping on the side hustle bandwagon amid the tight economy. The popularity of side hustles has given birth to a spinoff trend on the uptick called “side stacking.”
What Is ‘Side Stacking’?
According to Fortune Magazine, Goldman Sachs economists are declaring that “jobless growth” (low hiring and low firing) is the new normal. A recent Glassdoor report reveals that 57% of Gen Z are responding to the dilemma by taking on at least one side hustle—more than any generation before them to supplement their income. This trend has led to multiple secondary income streams, a spinoff trend known as “side stacking.”
Resume.ai’s analysis of viral TikTok videos reveals that Gen Z views “side stacking” as a new strategy to develop multiple side hustles alongside their nine-to-five jobs, often earning several times their salaries. Beyond swapping strategies, they advise one another and promote entrepreneurship as a path to freedom.
As they create parallel income streams, working multiple jobs simultaneously, they are stacking them to optimize their time and income to pay bills. A friend of mine, for example, has a full-time job on a sales force plus two side gigs. He’s a crypto trader, plus he works as a volunteer firefighter on weekends.
Amanda Augustine, career expert at Resume.ai explains that side stacking is essentially a modern form of job security for many young professionals. “Instead of climbing a single corporate ladder, Gen Z professionals are choosing to build multiple income streams to protect themselves against an unpredictable economy.”
They have learned not to put all their ‘eggs’ in one paycheck, Augustine continues. After weathering hiring freezes, mass layoffs and record inflation before many young workers have reached their 30th birthday, she observes they’re redefining ambition. Instead of the outdated corporate ladder, they’re diversifying their skills and income to gain financial control, creative freedom and a stronger sense of stability on their own terms.
Marium Lodhi, CMO at Software Finder agrees that young workers can no longer depend solely on one employer. She contends that side stacking allows them to diversify their work the same way they diversify investments, adding, “it’s about control, flexibility and financial resilience.”
However, Lodhi draws a distinction between traditional side hustles and “side stacking,” describing the latter as more organized and often linked to software-driven opportunities like contract work, consulting or platform-based gigs.
Tim Fung, founder and CEO of Airtasker, also acknowledges that employees are side stacking to generate income instead of relying on just one side gig or one full-time job. “We’re seeing that people want to avoid being locked in or exposed to just one type of job and that by tapping into multiple opportunities, smart workers can smooth earnings volatility and unlock even more opportunities,” he explains.
Chris Graham, executive vice president of workforce & community education at National University, says side stacking has many faces. In addition to economic reasons, the trend is often an outlet for employees in unfulfilling primary jobs who want to pursue creative endeavors or advance skills.
He adds that others are side stacking by pursuing education to enhance skills or to gain a first or second college degree, even while working full-time. “ANDers–or individuals pursuing an education while working and managing additional life responsibilities–are realizing that they can pivot their careers at any time to find something they love.”
Can ‘Side Stacking’ Lead To Burnout?
Government statistics show that 8.9 million Americans work multiple jobs. As employees take on additional roles on top of their full-time jobs to earn more money and protect themselves against future instability, side stacking could put them at risk of burnout.
Fung told me he’s a strong believer in side stacking, but he points out that you must do it right. “Burnout is something to watch out for in any job, whether it’s full time permanent responsibilities or taking on a portfolio of opportunities,” he cautions, adding that it’s important to be disciplined and establish boundaries and guardrails. For example, he mentions that it’s important to keep track of your capacity and avoid saying “yes” too often to make sure you have enough time for rest and family time.
“It’s also important to be true to your own standards of work,” Fung states. If you side stack, he advises that you make sure to keep up your quality so you can improve your ratings, reviews and ultimately your personal brand as this will drive your ability to earn more!”
According to Lodhi, the growth of remote work and improved freelance management tools makes it easier for employees to handle multiple roles at once. Fung notes that his organization is investing in world class tools like a reputation/rating system which empowers workers to truly build their own personal brand.
A Final Word On The Future Of ‘Side Stacking’ In 2026
Fineas Tatar, productivity expert and co-founder of Viva, explains that workers seek additional income when their primary role doesn’t provide financial security or fulfillment. And employers have a responsibility to notice shifts in engagement, output or work patterns and address side stacking.
He argues that leaders need to ensure that their teams are appropriately challenged, fairly compensated and genuinely engaged. This requires time for career development conversations, recognition and building the kind of culture where people want to invest their full focus.
As far as the future goes, Fung predicts that employers will increasingly value verified gig work as part of career development. “Skills gained through side hustles or freelance work will count toward promotions and professional growth, creating formal ‘gig portfolios’ that complement traditional employment experience,” he expects.
Fung also believes side stacking will be a part of mainstream financial planning in 2026. He envisions that employees will consider side gigs as an integral part of household budgeting and that many professionals will monetize skills outside of their traditional nine-to five roles, creating parallel income streams to support everyday expenses.
In 2026, Fung predicts that platform-enabled upskilling will drive growth in the side stacking economy, offering built-in training, certifications and career ladders that enable workers to progress from entry-level tasks to higher-paying, premium gigs.