Amid a slew of positive trends in the recent Supporting Lower-Income Households Trends Report 2025, one worrying statistic slid under the radar: that nearly four in 10 ComLink+ families are currently not in stable employment. That single figure helps explain why progress for some lower-income families can feel fragile and easily undone, even with support in place.

At first glance, this figure might appear unsurprising. In an economy where gig or casual work, short-term contracts and platform-based jobs have become increasingly common, the absence of stable employment may look like a matter of preference. Flexibility, after all, has real value – especially for families juggling caregiving responsibilities and conflicting household demands.

But the reality is more complicated.