A startup founder recently discovered that one of their employees was working multiple jobs simultaneously, raising concerns about productivity and commitment in remote work environments. The revelation came after the founder noticed persistent issues with the employee’s work schedule and output quality.
“We realized he was working multiple jobs … based on constant large fluctuations in his availability and the quality of his output,” the founder explained in a statement to CNBC.
Identifying the Warning Signs
The founder’s experience highlights a growing challenge for companies as remote work becomes more common. The employee’s inconsistent availability created scheduling difficulties for team collaboration, while the varying quality of work suggested divided attention across multiple commitments.
These performance patterns eventually formed a recognizable trend that alerted management to the situation. The fluctuations were not occasional or random but showed a consistent pattern that suggested systematic division of time and energy across different employers.
The Rise of “Overemployment”
This case represents part of a broader trend sometimes called “overemployment,” where workers take on multiple full-time remote positions without disclosing this to their employers. The practice gained momentum during the pandemic as remote work became widespread, creating new opportunities for employees to manage multiple jobs from home.
While some workers pursue multiple jobs out of financial necessity, others see it as a strategy to maximize income while maintaining the flexibility of remote work. However, this approach often conflicts with most employment contracts, which typically require full commitment to a single employer during working hours.
Challenges for Employers
For startups and established companies alike, identifying when employees are splitting their attention across multiple jobs presents significant challenges. Without direct oversight in remote environments, managers must rely on performance metrics and availability patterns to spot potential issues.
Some warning signs that employers report include:
- Inconsistent availability for meetings or collaborative work
- Significant variations in work quality
- Delayed responses during normal working hours
- Reluctance to use video during calls
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The situation raises questions about employment contracts and intellectual property protection. Most employment agreements contain clauses prohibiting concurrent employment with competitors or any work that creates conflicts of interest.
From the employee perspective, some argue that as long as they meet all job requirements, how they manage their time should be their decision. However, employers counter that divided attention ultimately affects team dynamics and work quality, even if deadlines are technically met.
Companies are responding by updating employment policies to specifically address multiple job-holding and by implementing more robust performance monitoring systems for remote workers.
As remote work continues to evolve, both employers and employees will need to navigate these new boundaries. For startups especially, where resources are limited and team cohesion is critical, identifying and addressing these situations quickly can be essential for business success.
