Over the recent weeks and months, I’ve had several conversations with Advisers where they are struggling to explain how providers approach workers with more than one job. This is not a new issue but one that’s more prevalent today.

 

As more Generation Z workers enter the workforce, the number holding multiple occupations is rising. According to the latest quarterly labour market data (Oct–Dec 2025) from the ONS, 1.29 million people in the UK, around 3.8% of the employed population have a second job.

 

There is no industry fix where all providers adopt the same approach, that much is clear, but what Advisers and providers should look to do is work together to improve understanding, consistency and client understanding both at underwriting and claim.

 

Charlotte Rogers, Protection Specialist at Radcliffe & Co, explains:

 

“It’s really challenging to explain to potential customers how providers deal with dual occupations at application and claim stage, as most providers say it depends on the individual.”

 

While individualised assessment is understandable, she believes greater consistency across providers would make advice clearer and simpler for clients.

 

This raises key questions for income protection providers: should cover be based on the higher-risk occupation, priced on the primary occupation only, split according to hours worked, or simply disregard secondary roles?