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The workplace has seen a dramatic shift over the past few years, with the COVID-19 pandemic acting as a catalyst for changes that many never anticipated.
From the Great Resignation and quiet quitting to the rise of four-day work weeks, employees are redefining their relationship with work. Among these trends is one you may not have heard of, the somewhat controversial ‘overemployment’ movement.
Understanding overemployment
So what is this new trend causing anxiety to businesses? Overemployment, sometimes referred to as moonlighting, involves individuals holding two or more full-time jobs simultaneously without their employers' knowledge.
Unlike traditional side hustles or secondary part-time jobs, overemployment typically entails managing multiple 9-to-5 roles, often facilitated by remote work environments. This practice has gained traction, particularly in the tech industry, where task-based roles like software development can be managed flexibly from home.
The overemployment movement is spearheaded by figures like ‘Isaac’, an anonymous tech leader who shared his journey of working multiple full-time jobs to achieve financial freedom and avoid corporate politics.
‘Isaac’ took to the Overemployed subreddit, which boasts over 109,000 members, to share how he balances two full time jobs, making an extra $300,000 in a single year in the process.
However, ‘Isaac’ also noted how juggling the two roles had become increasingly tricky, leading to several close calls for being found out.
Why overemployment is on the rise
Several factors contribute to the rise of overemployment:
Disillusionment with corporate life: Many employees feel unrecognized and unrewarded in their primary roles. Overemployment provides an opportunity to double their income without doubling their effort.
Lucrative job offers: High-paying remote jobs are hard to resist. Employees often find it difficult to turn down a second lucrative offer.
Concrete financial goals: Whether aiming for early retirement or saving for a significant purchase, overemployment helps achieve financial milestones faster.
Efficient work habits: Some employees are highly efficient, completing their tasks quickly and seeking to utilize their extra time productively by taking on additional jobs.
The mechanics of overemployment
Successfully managing multiple full-time jobs requires strategic planning and effective time management. Here are some common tactics used by overemployed individuals:
Lining up multiple offers: Overemployed individuals often secure multiple job offers and stagger their start dates to avoid the initial onboarding confusion.
Managing overlapping meetings: Creative solutions such as attending two meetings simultaneously with separate headphones, rescheduling conflicting meetings, or using virtual assistants to handle calls are common.
LinkedIn profile management: To avoid detection, many overemployed workers make their LinkedIn profiles private or inactive, citing reasons like being overwhelmed by recruiters.
Adequate, not exceptional performance: The goal is to do sufficient work to avoid scrutiny while not drawing attention through exceptional performance. This balance helps maintain multiple roles without raising red flags.
What HR professionals need to know
HR professionals must navigate the complexities of overemployment carefully. Key considerations and strategies for handling potential overemployment in the workplace include identifying overemployed workers.
This can be challenging, but some indicators include frequent rescheduling of meetings or sudden unavailability during critical times; noticeable fluctuations in productivity, with periods of intense output followed by inexplicable lulls; and reduced participation in team activities, avoidance of collaborative projects, and minimal interaction with colleagues.
Addressing overemployment
When HR professionals suspect overemployment, a thoughtful and strategic approach is necessary. This means:
Open communication: Foster a culture of openness where employees feel comfortable discussing their workloads and any secondary employment. This can help in understanding their motivations and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
Review policies: Ensure that company policies on secondary employment are clear, updated, and communicated effectively. Policies should balance the need for employee transparency with respect for their privacy.
Flexible work arrangements: Offering flexible work schedules or part-time roles can provide employees with the financial benefits they seek without resorting to overemployment. This can also help in retaining talent and reducing burnout.
Monitor workloads: Regularly assess workloads to ensure employees are not overwhelmed. Providing support and resources can prevent the need for seeking additional employment.
Leverage technology: Use productivity and time-tracking tools to monitor work patterns. While respecting privacy, these tools can help identify inconsistencies that might indicate overemployment.
What are the ethical and legal implications of overworking?
The practice of overemployment raises ethical and legal questions. Employers argue that working multiple full-time jobs can lead to conflicts of interest, decreased productivity, and breaches of trust.
Overemployment often involves deception, as employees hide their secondary jobs, potentially violating employment contracts and company policies.
Conversely, employees justify overemployment by highlighting stagnant wages, rising living costs, and the desire for financial security. They argue that as long as they fulfill their job responsibilities, their employers should not interfere with how they manage their time.
The future of overemployment
The trajectory of overemployment will depend on several factors, including the evolution of remote work, economic conditions, and corporate responses.
While some companies may crack down on overemployment through stricter policies and monitoring, others might adapt by offering more flexible work arrangements and competitive compensation packages.
In the meantime, the demand for remote roles remains strong. Despite a decline in fully remote job postings on platforms like LinkedIn, the preference for remote work continues to grow. This trend suggests that overemployment may persist as long as remote opportunities are available and economically beneficial.
