The study investigates whether the employment shift from the farm to the non-farm sector in Uttar Pradesh arises out of prosperity-induced or distress-induced factors. The examination of employment patterns at various levels leads to conclusive evidence that distress-induced push factors have been predominant in driving workers to non-farm employment. The paper also records the link with rural non-farm employment, of various factors such as landownership, education and caste affiliation. Low levels of education and their status as landless earners devoid of capital resources suggest broad distress-induced circumstances of non-farm workers.