WFH & 2 jobs

[Zuzus]

Let's call my friend Anne. Anne had to WFH in Covid and then decided to set herself up as a contractor.

She recently took 2 contracts (jobs) at the same time. To be fair, she delivered on both contracts. Both contracts were fixed term (unfortunately). But this got me thinking.

How many people are doing the same out there?

I know at least 3

Following out of interest.

There's no law against doing 2 contracts at once, unless you're specifically told you have to do full time on both. I sometimes work freelance and generally the contract states that I have to get X done by Y date - they don't care what my working pattern is. They usually specify certain hours that I have to be available, and that I can't work for a competitor, but that's all. I don't generally take on 2 projects at once, but it has happened in the past that one takes longer than expected and I start a second one while I wait for the first client to get back to me or something.

She’s a freelancer. This is fine.

There is a Reddit thread called ‘Over employed’ or something like that where people talk about this.

It's you isn't it. You're "Anne"

Me.
I contract for 3 companies plus work very part-time on site for another, but there are no min/max hours.

Unless the contract states they are full time and cannot work for anyone else I don’t understand the issue. Self employed contracting is totally different to being an employee.

Theres a big difference between being a contractor and working for multiple companies at once, and being full time employed for more than one company for the same hours at the same time

I wish! "Anne" is my best friend who works with 2 laptops open in case anyone needs to reach her on Teams.

I have a boring day job and could not get away with it due to LinkedIn and being on company website.

I meant to add - she technically has to be available for both companies 9 to 6.

There was an AMA about it a few days ago. I think contracting where you are paid for the output that you deliver and everyone is happy is one thing. Having multiple full time jobs is unethical and what’s contributing to the return to office mentality, which disproportionately affects women.

For me the test is if the other party that are paying you feels it infringes the arrangement.

one Of the differentiators of being a contractor is that you can choose how you do the work.

if she’s on teams for both, then she is available to both.