Summary:
One-third of remote workers are balancing two jobs.
The rise in dual employment is linked to the increasing cost of living.
Only one in five in-person workers have multiple jobs compared to remote workers.
Women are more likely to hold multiple jobs than men.
Nearly 49% of polyworkers feel overworked.
The New Trend Among Remote Workers
A third of remote workers are now juggling two jobs, a trend that raises questions about multitasking during work hours. According to a report by SideHustles.com, based on a survey of 1,000 Americans, this is significantly higher compared to in-person and hybrid workers.
Reasons Behind the Trend
Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and CEO of 9i Capital Group, explains that the increasing cost of living has driven remote workers to take on additional jobs. Many remote roles are relatively easy to manage, allowing employees to maintain productivity while working multiple jobs.
Comparison with In-Person Workers
The report highlights that only one in five in-person workers have multiple jobs, and just one in six hybrid workers do the same. Overall, one in four employees across the nation are balancing multiple jobs, working an average of 50 hours a week.
Image source: Noam Galai/Getty Images
The Remote Work Environment
Jennifer Lee Magas, a communications professor, describes remote work as the "Wild West of modern employment." Workers are adept at appearing available on platforms like Slack while managing side hustles. This lack of oversight means many employees operate under the radar unless they miss deadlines or create conflicts of interest.
Secrets Among Polyworkers
Interestingly, about three in five individuals who identify as "polyworkers" keep their additional jobs secret from their employers. Thompson notes the implications are significant, with workers doing only what is required and showing less loyalty to their companies.
Gender Disparities in Job Holding
The report also indicates that women are more likely to have multiple jobs, with 26% of women compared to 18% of men reporting this. Managers seem generally unconcerned, with three in four indicating no issues with employees holding multiple positions.
Challenges Faced by Polyworkers
However, the dual-job situation is not without challenges. Nearly 49% of polyworkers reported feeling overworked, and 48% struggled to maintain personal time with family. Bryan Driscoll, an HR consultant, emphasizes that many are taking on second jobs for survival, as one paycheck is often insufficient.
Driscoll states, "If you have employees successfully managing two jobs, meeting their goals and expectations, that's not an employee problem. That's a structural inefficiency problem."
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