BLUF

This article is about overemployment, where some remote workers have more than one job and therefore have to carefully manage their time.

Summary

Overemployment is a growing trend made possible because of remote working. Some people exploit the lack of direct supervision and can take on an additional full-time job. A second job is easier to manage for knowledge workers, where there is a high demand for talent, and the emphasis is on productivity rather than face time with management or clients.

Overemployment can bring the following benefits for workers:

  • Extra income and experience.
  • A safety net against redundancy.
  • Development of useful tools and skills.
  • Free people to try other jobs for comparison.
  • Work that may be more meaningful.

Overemployment doesn’t necessarily mean working extra-long days; workers can find time through:

  • Being under-engaged in their primary role.
  • Absenteeism from meetings.
  • Minimising or eliminating cyberloafing.

Overemployment has legal implications within workplace contracts and policy, it’s extremely controversial and widely perceived as unethical*. 

 

* Note: ADF members are encouraged to read MILSPERSMAN Part 7, Chapter 4 – Employment and Voluntary 

Activities of Defence Members in Off-Duty Hours

 

Learn about how some knowledge workers can work at more than one full-time job.

References