With inflation rising, it’s no wonder many people are taking on multiple jobs to make ends meet. While the International Monetary Fund expects global inflation to drop to 5.8% in 2024, in the Philippines, 2024 headline inflation just rose to 4.4% in July from 3.7% in June. This economic pressure is pushing more workers to seek additional income streams.
Working multiple remote jobs is common in the US, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting over 8.4 million multiple job holders. The trend is also gaining traction in the Philippines; in 2023, 60% of Filipino employees were engaged in some form of part-time work, with younger people being the most involved.
With a culture that values long hours, overemployment might seem natural, but is it as helpful as it is glorified? Explore the trend of overemployment in the Philippines, including why people take extra remote roles, its benefits and challenges, and its implications for employees and employers. Let’s dive in!
What is Overemployment?
Overemployment is the practice of managing multiple full-time jobs simultaneously, often remotely. This is different from having various part-time roles or side hustles. Being overemployed allows people to maximize income but requires a careful balance of responsibilities and can lead to significant stress. Nico Chiong and Arvin Ramos of Manila Recruitment say this about overemployment:
Overemployment is most prevalent in the IT and tech, BPO, creative, and consulting industries, as well as any industry that would allow output-based work or asynchronous correspondence for projects and deliverables.
Anything that can be done with minimal overlaps or correspondence can be an opportunity for an employee to take up overemployment. However, overemployment says more about a person’s current state outside their workplace. In our experience, not many people would choose to be overemployed if they aren’t going through a rough patch or have ambitious financial goals.
Why Employees Work Multiple Jobs
Employees work multiple remote jobs primarily to boost their income in response to rising inflation or financial pressures. This section will delve into the various motivations behind this trend.
1. Multiple salaries
The average monthly cost of living for a single person in the Philippines is around $500, or roughly PHP 28,000. However, with the median monthly wage for full-time workers in the Philippines being PHP 18,423, it’s easy to see that the amount is insufficient and why many turn to overemployment to make ends meet.
2. Better time management
Surprisingly, some people find that having multiple jobs offers a better work-life balance. Choosing roles that allow them to work from home and fit their schedules and priorities enables them to manage their time, which may not be possible in a single, full-time job. They can then give their time for more important matters, like family, hobbies, or other interests.
3. Skill and experience diversity
Juggling different roles may give employees more experience across various industries, equipping them with new skills they can use to build a more robust professional profile—something invaluable in a competitive job market.
Is Overemployment Legal in the Philippines?
Can you work two full time jobs legally? Well, overemployment is not explicitly unlawful in the Philippines, but it involves several legal considerations and doesn’t go unnoticed. Chiong recalls a personal contact working two full-time customer service jobs:
It is a difficult industry and role to juggle as he has to talk to customers and colleagues live. During his overemployment stint, we barely saw him outside of working from home, and he did not attend to any other facet of his life without taking a leave from one of his jobs.
Eventually, he let go of one of the roles as his managers became suspicious. In this case, he had to decide which role he would keep and which one he would let go.
Employment contracts can include exclusivity clauses prohibiting employees from holding another job because some companies believe that doing so comes with confidentiality and intellectual property issues that can lead to potential disputes.
Can you work in two companies?
So, can an employee work in two companies? The answer is it depends. In another case, Ramos shares the story of a developer who applied for and secured a remote job:
After two months, he became increasingly unresponsive until he could no longer be reached. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that he was simultaneously employed full-time by another company. Legal action could have been pursued, as this clearly breached certain contractual obligations, but the employer chose not to proceed.
Company policies vary. The developer got lucky this time, but others aren’t so fortunate—they often learn the hard way. Some employers have strict rules against overemployment, while others don’t explicitly address it but expect high employee performance. Overall, violating these clauses can lead to employee termination.
Implications and Challenges of the Overemployment Trend
As the overemployment trend gains traction, it’s crucial to understand its implications and challenges. Explore the consequences of overemployment and common hurdles employees face.
1. Work-life balance or imbalance
While overemployment might seem like a way to boost income and manage roles that fit personal preferences, it often leads to significant work-life imbalance and burnout. Handling multiple full-time jobs can cause stress and negatively impact personal time, ultimately making it an unsustainable choice.
As an employer, it’s important to be vigilant about signs of stress and work-life imbalance in your team. Providing support and flexible working options can help prevent burnout and maintain overall well-being among employees which could reduce their tendency to go through overemployment.
2. Impact on career growth
Multiple jobs can enhance a person’s skill set and provide diverse experiences, potentially adding value to their primary role. Conversely, the divided focus often means less time and energy for advancement in their main job, leading to minimal career growth and opportunities
If you’re an employer, provide clear career development paths and professional growth opportunities to keep your employees motivated and focused on their primary careers.
3. Legal and ethical concerns
As discussed, overemployment legality varies from employer to employer. If no conflicts exist with existing contracts or company policies, overemployment can comply with legal standards. However, it risks breaching exclusivity or non-compete clauses, leading to potential legal and ethical issues.
Ensure employment contracts clearly address secondary employment and consult legal experts to craft agreements that protect organizational interests.
4. Reduced productivity
Employees with multiple jobs might use time management skills and automation to maintain productivity across roles, which can be beneficial. Nonetheless, the split focus often reduces effectiveness and performance in both roles. Monitor your employees’ productivity and provide resources to help them manage their workload and maintain productivity.
5. Decreased employee engagement
The additional income from overemployment can improve job satisfaction and financial stability. However, fatigue can’t be far behind. Managing multiple jobs can lead to decreased engagement and lower morale. If you allow overemployment, foster a supportive work environment, offer recognition, and encourage team-building activities to maintain high levels of engagement.
Chiong explains that there are cons to overemployment: “Nobody wants to be overemployed unless they are overly ambitious or there’s an immediate financial need. For most people, overemployment is overclocking oneself, which can easily lead to burnout. It also takes away everything an employee has out of their lives to focus on work.”
Ramos adds, “It might seem financially rewarding at first, but the long-term physical, mental, social, and reputational costs far outweigh any short-term gains.”
Turn Overemployment Challenges into Growth Opportunities
As rising inflation drives many Filipinos to take on multiple full-time jobs, overemployment is reshaping the workforce. While this trend offers some financial relief and flexibility, it also presents significant challenges that both employees and employers need to consider.
Addressing these challenges requires a proactive and informed approach. Partnering with a reputable recruitment agency in the Philippines can help ensure that candidates are thoroughly vetted and well-suited for your organization’s needs. Contact us to learn how we can assist you in building a strong and resilient team.
Passionate about promoting the ingenuity of Filipino talent, Arvin is a sought-after resource person in the field of career development. He regularly delivers keynote speeches and conducts workshops throughout the Philippines, sharing his insights and strategies for improving employability and promotability.
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- Overemployment in the Philippines: A Remote Work Trend - September 20, 2024
