As the pandemic created new financial challenges, the prospect of working multiple jobs has become more lucrative. As a result, more and more professionals in certain sectors – particularly those that thrive on remote work setups like the tech industry – have found that they can handle being overemployed, living double professional lives and moonlighting between two or more jobs.
How has the pandemic caused overemployment, and which sectors can benefit from this?
1. The pandemic created lax, remote work environments.
Not all workers need to work intensely throughout their shift. Many end up having plenty of spare time even during work hours. This is mainly because of challenges in remote communication or the nature of their work. Furthermore, companies do not strictly monitor their employees to promote productivity and reduce stress. These two combined factors make it possible for many workers to take on two jobs at the same time.
2. The “Great Resignation” is creating many tempting job openings.
Ask anyone working in human resources about the Great Resignation, and they will tell you that it is very real. This started in 2021 when job boards started buzzing again, with many workers deciding to change or quit their jobs. Unsurprisingly, this created a huge number of vacancies in the jobs market, which many would-be overemployed individuals are more than happy to take on. The shortage of workers also compelled companies to focus more on hiring replacements than scrutinising their applicants.
3. The overworked medical system has become more expensive.
Covid-19 has put many people in hospital, straining resources and overworking the personnel and equipment of these healthcare facilities. As a result, treatments for all sorts of maladies have become more expensive, and 66% of people in the US alone are afraid that they might not be able to pay for their medical bills. Understanding this and the fact that we live in a time when our health is constantly at risk, many people decided to work two or more jobs to make sure that they are prepared for any medical emergency.
4. Workers see overemployment as a way of regaining control.
As the pandemic rages on and keeps wreaking havoc on every aspect of our lives, many people see control of their fates slipping from their hands. They find the opportunity to work as they see fit and on as many jobs as they need a way for them to take back that diminishing control. The increased income also provides them with the prospect of eventually gaining that much-coveted financial freedom.
What Can We Learn From This?
A combination of need and opportunity has convinced people to take on multiple jobs. We should not expect this to change any time soon, strict monitoring and complicated recruitment processes notwithstanding. Many found working two or more jobs a lucrative way to make money, and they will certainly find ways to keep it that way. This might be a sign that traditional employment is on the way out, and the ball is now in the workers’ hands.