Overemployed workers rake in six figures secretly
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Some workers are raking in six-figure incomes by secretly working multiple remote jobs at once – a practice known as “overemployment.” While critics question the ethics, these overemployed professionals say they have no guilt.
Earning up to $500K across multiple remote jobs
Business Insider spoke with more than 10 people earning up to $500,000 annually across two to four remote jobs simultaneously. They used the extra income to pay off debt, save for early retirement, afford luxuries like cruises, and even weight-loss drugs.
“If companies can so easily cut you off like many have these days, then shouldn’t you have the ability to be resilient and resistant to layoffs?” said Robert, a Florida resident who made $335,000 last year from job juggling.
Joseph, a network engineer earning $344,000 across three jobs in 2022, said the extra gigs provided critical job security. He was laid off from two roles – but thankfully still had his third job.
Overemployed defend ethics of multiple jobs
The overemployed argue there’s a double standard, as CEOs like Elon Musk routinely juggle leadership roles at multiple companies. “I am the CEO of my own labor, and I choose to spend my labor on multiple projects,” said John, an IT professional on track to make over $300,000 in 2022.
With many completing all assigned work efficiently, some say if they have extra time, why not take another job? “What if an employee…only has actually 20 hours of work to do?” said Steven, a UK project manager earning $90,000 across two roles. “Is that better…than my choosing to fit a second job in?”
Justin, an IT engineer making over $300,000 from three jobs, argued overemployment could even benefit companies by giving workers more experience. “Having the ‘same job times three’ helps me increase knowledge to be a better worker everywhere,” he said.
The rise of remote work has enabled overemployment. However, the practice raises questions about ethics, job competition, and potential violations of non-compete agreements. Still, these high-earning professionals feel no guilt in maximizing their earnings across multiple remote roles.
