Remote Work’s Hidden Side Hustle
COVID-19 turned office life upside down, and more and more people began working from home. Some people found that with limited supervision and sometimes lighter workloads, they were able to work two or more jobs. The appeal was clear: Earn double the money for only slightly more effort. Many managers knew what was happening but had few ways to address it during the health crisis.
Now that some staff have returned to in-office or hybrid schedules, the trend hasn’t disappeared. Overemployment has become a real and lasting issue. So what can employers do?
Stealing time
Working two jobs isn’t illegal. People can hold more than one full-time position as long as they report the income and file the appropriate taxes. But legal isn’t the same as ethical. Many would say moonlighters are “stealing time” by splitting their attention between roles. They’re getting paid full-time wages without giving full-time focus.
Some job offers include exclusivity clauses, requiring that full-time employees commit to only one employer. In practice, though, these can be hard to monitor or enforce. However, employees who then work multiple jobs in violation of contract terms — especially in at-will states — may find themselves fired.
Anyone considering this route needs to be realistic. Overcommitting is a quick way to burn out or get caught. Clear routines, strong time management and daily task lists are essential.
Surprising numbers
A Resume Builder survey from October 2024 found that 69% of remote workers had a second job. Of those, 37% were working two full-time roles, while 32% had a part-time or a gig job on the side. Most are capitalizing on flexible schedules. In fact, 39% of those holding two full-time remote jobs said neither role required a full 40-hour week. Only 23% of them worked more than 80 hours weekly, and 31% said they worked 50 to 70 hours across both jobs.
The main motivators are financial — paying down debt, affording basic expenses, saving money or increasing spending power. Men are more likely to work two jobs, and millennials lead the trend. But as reasons for doubling up, some also cite career growth, pursuing passion projects or launching a small business.
Setting boundaries
Employers worry that they are paying for work time that they don’t fully receive. Some companies ban outside work entirely. Others use software to monitor employee activity. These tools can track internet use, log keystrokes, take screenshots, scan emails and chats, or even check GPS data.
A more practical step may be to set clear policies. Companies can reduce confusion by outlining rules and expectations. Companies might require that employees:
- Disclose additional jobs.
- Submit work schedules in advance.
- Let managers review their other jobs to be sure they do not interfere with their availability or responsibilities and don’t conflict with company interests.
- Keep work for each role clearly separated.
There’s a potential upside. Side work can increase job satisfaction and spark creative thinking. Ideally, employers should encourage honest conversations. If employees are open about their outside work, managers may be able to set boundaries that work for everyone.
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