I’m an ‘overworker’ and have 3 FT jobs - AMA

[SallyGs]

Ive had a few people now mention on the careers topic to do an AMA so am taking the plunge.

An overworker is someone who holds multiple full time roles at the same time. Started in the US and became big during COVID - for obvious reasons as it’s pretty much impossible to do with non remote work.

I currently have 3 full time jobs, at my peak I had 5 during 2020. And am working towards buying a rental property with my additional income.

So for anyone who has wondered about it or are interested in trying it themselves - AMA

Contracted? Or actual?
I’m contracted 37.5hrs + 14hrs
I probably do on average 30hrs in reality.

Well do tell us a bit more detail - how do you manage to do a highly paid job on only a couple of hours a day? Seriously, what is it that you've cut out?.

Yes, in the way you’re using the term anyway.

I’ve never worked 40 hours a week. I’ve always worked in roles where autonomy is pretty much a given.

Shh they’ll accuse you of lying soon

Yes, I'd still say that's more than the OP.
I have no idea what she/he/they is/are contracted to do.

I’ve cut nothing out

I developed my current role. It’s a strategic role, not an operational one. Replying to a few emails and attending the odd call is all I need to do.

Is that mostly marketing?.

Yes
You could be right

All marketing (albeit various sectors)

I'm really curious as to how your main job haven't picked this up via payroll?

HMRC once put me on an incorrect tax code (the one for when you have two jobs) and payroll alerted my manager right away (presumably as I would have been in breach of working time regulations and my contractual obligation to notify them of any other work).

Mind you I'm in a regulated profession where mistakes can cost lives so maybe they have to be more on it.

Do you worry that your professional reputation might be irreparably damaged if you get found out? You must have some balls I'll give you that!

I take my hat off to you OP. So many companies don't give two shits about their employees. You're working the system to your advantage. If I hadn't worked so hard to get where I am and really value my job, I'd give this a go. Life's too short, and employers would replace you in a heartbeat if you weren't performing, without a second thought about your best interests. Too many people care too much about their employers but it's often a one way street. If you're performing as you're supposed to be then well done!

I'll hold up my hands and say I'm dead jealous but also in awe of you 🤩
I would like to ask a question, amongst the over worker community what would you say is the balance of male versus female overworkers?

Oh yawn. More teachers making everything about themselves.

The OP hasn’t chosen to work with children. The OP hasn’t chosen to have a job that is front facing.

This seems very dishonest to me.

My contract does not allow me to pick up any additional work, even PT.

They’ve never mentioned it, I had a few tax code changes around the same time though so it might have slipped through the cracks!

I’m not too fussed about the reputation part, as I’ll be able to get references either way. And since I work across industries it’s not the same impact.

I am also in a skills shortage role/specialism so many companies wouldn’t care!

I don’t live in the UK but payroll not noticing/knowing that someone is doing this doesn’t compute with me. How do people get away with that side of it?

I do one or two writing jobs a month but just get paid through PayPal or Revolut way below the threshold of tax. Even then it shakes my nerves, I couldn’t hold down 3 jobs… 🐟

I’d say 90% are male, if not more!

Jealous? Of someone who behaves in such an unethical way? Give over.

Considering my primary jobs payroll didn’t realise a lot of shit going on with my payslips and tax codes during my maternity leave I just assume they’re a bit crap - which works for me now!

Ok back to AMA, does it get stressful? Balancing the needs of all 3 and then do you not worry about getting caught? Do you not worry about the long term ramifications of getting caught and ability to work again?

At the start it was very stressful, as I had to manage onboarding with my other jobs, that was the hardest part as most companies do have eyes on you a bit more in the first few weeks.

When I had 5 it was very stressful due to multiple factors, one role I ended up moving into a different dept with a structure change and my new manager was a bit ott which is why I let that job slide, as a micromanager would unravel me.

The biggest stress however are the Christmas parties and functions! Having to avoid being pictured for LinkedIn posts!

I’m amazed that nowhere in your contract(s) mention the inability to work elsewhere. That’s pretty standard and something I had to get taken out of my part time contract.

I’m not too fussed about the reputation part, as I’ll be able to get references either way.

I don’t follow this. References are not a thing any more, in terms of quality of work. All that any employer will ever do is confirm that a person worked for the company from x date to y date in z role. I don’t think they even comment now if the person has been dismissed for gross misconduct etc.

However a reputation is something that can’t be controlled, and it could easily get around in a niche area that OP was found to have been “playing” several employers at once. Nobody will ever say outright that they have turned you down because of what they have heard about you, but they will still make recruitment decisions based on this.

You’ve not read the OP’s posts correctly. It’s in all her contracts but she just ignores it.

2 of 3 do have such clauses