The Ethical Dilemma of Juggling Multiple Remote Jobs: Is It Cheating or Smart Strategy?

The Ethics of Working Multiple Remote Jobs

Some Americans are secretly working multiple full-time remote jobs simultaneously. Whether it’s seen as beating the system or cheating depends on individual perspectives.
Over the past two years, I've interviewed more than two dozen people who are overemployed, many in the IT and tech sectors. These individuals have significantly increased their earnings by juggling multiple roles at once, using the additional income to travel, pay off debts, and indulge in personal pursuits.

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Mixed Reactions from Readers

The stories of job jugglers have sparked diverse opinions. Some commend these individuals for finding ways to maximize earnings and job security, while others argue they are taking advantage of their employers by not giving their full attention.

Insights from Ethics Experts

I consulted four ethics academics and consultants, and the consensus was clear: secretly juggling multiple jobs is not ethical, but the motivations behind it are understandable.

A Question of Contracts

The ethical discussion often hinges on whether an employee’s contract allows for multiple jobs. Many U.S. workers are at-will employees, meaning they are not bound by strict contracts. However, it’s implied that employees should focus on one job during work hours.

• Todd Haugh, a business law professor, stated that employees with exclusive contracts would find it challenging to justify taking on another job.
• Jeffrey Moriarty, director of the Hoffman Center for Business Ethics, emphasized that when workers promise to work for an employer, they implicitly agree not to work for others during that time.
• Elizabeth Anderson, a public philosophy professor, argues that unless explicitly prohibited, employees shouldn’t feel obligated to disclose their work status.

Conflicts of Interest

Overemployment can lead to conflicts of interest, especially if multiple jobs are in the same field. Chris MacDonald, an ethics professor, noted that juggling multiple jobs might create loyalty dilemmas, particularly when facing competing deadlines.

While some employees justify their actions based on personal circumstances, the ethical implications remain complex and nuanced.

Share Your Experience

If you have a story about secretly working multiple jobs or discovering someone else doing so, feel free to reach out via email.