The Rise of Overemployment in Australia

In an era of rising living costs, some Australians are turning to a controversial strategy: holding down multiple full-time jobs simultaneously, often without their employers' knowledge. This practice, known as overemployment, is gaining traction, with individuals like Ash (a pseudonym) earning up to $500,000 in a single year by juggling as many as seven roles.

A Day in the Life of an Overemployed Worker

Ash, a software industry professional, shared her intense routine. She woke at 4 AM, worked through emails, and managed multiple jobs back-to-back, often logging 20-hour days with minimal sleep. "I have 'f--- you' jobs," she quipped, emphasizing her drive for financial security over traditional work norms.

Her schedule included:

• Working a government role from 9 to 5.
• Squeezing in meetings during lunch breaks and commutes.
• Utilizing tools and AI to boost efficiency in ticket-based tech jobs.

More than half a million people have joined online discussions about overemployment.

The Global Community and Its Motivations

Over 500,000 people are part of a Reddit forum dedicated to overemployment, with the tagline "Work multiple jobs, reach financial freedom." Members, including Australians, exchange tips on avoiding detection and share stories of burnout or termination.

Key motivations include:

• Financial freedom to support families and avoid bill stress.
• Rebellion against corporate loyalty norms, as one worker, Jess, noted: "CEOs have multiple roles; why can't we?"
• Coping with high costs, like Sydney's median house price exceeding $1.7 million.

Risks and Realities

Employment lawyer Danny King warns that contracts often include exclusivity clauses, and breaches could lead to termination. However, workers like Ash and Jess claim they never underperformed or worked for competitors.

Health impacts are significant. Associate professor Nicole Black highlights that longer work hours are linked to poorer health outcomes, including less time for exercise and healthy eating. Ash experienced burnout, with her child remarking, "All you do is work."

Statistical Context

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 6.5% of employed people had multiple jobs in March, a rate at an all-time high since 2022. Economists like Mark Wooden note that overemployment traditionally refers to working more hours than desired, not necessarily multiple jobs.

More Australians are taking on multiple jobs to make ends meet.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Whether multiple jobs are lawful depends on individual contracts. King advises checking for exclusivity clauses and ensuring performance meets obligations. While employers could pursue legal action, it's often impractical.

Workers argue that if they deliver quality work, there's no ethical issue. Jess stated, "Employers have had their day," challenging outdated corporate ideals.

Personal Toll and Future Outlook

Many, like Jess, take breaks due to burnout. Wooden emphasizes that mental health suffers when people work long hours against their will, similar to underemployment effects.

Ash has scaled back to two jobs, aiming to support her children through school without the extreme schedule. She reflects, "It's weird to feel grateful for multiple jobs in a cost-of-living crisis."