A fifth of UK workers have found themselves in unsustainable, unconventional jobs due to the recession, according to the latest survey from global recruiter Kelly Services.

The latest findings from the Kelly Global Workforce Index reveals the emergence of Generation U. This is defined as a new breed of workers who face an unsustainable combination of long and/or unusual hours, multiple jobs, living away from home and excessive travel as a normal part of their lives as a result of the widespread ‘more for less’ business strategy across the UK aimed at driving efficiency while lowering costs.

Kelly Services UK country general manager, Andrew Cook, says: “Across many industries, there is a host of people who are now prepared to work in an unconventional way, moving within their own country or moving abroad in the pursuit of work, but some of this is unsustainable.

“Working in an unconventional way can play a key role in career advancement but you don’t have to fit the Generation U profile to profit from the diverse global demand for talent.”