‘Overemployed’: A look at those who secretly juggle 2 full-time jobs

[Startup]

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/overemployed-a-look-at-those-who-secretly-juggle-2-full-time-jobs

 

Statistics from the Ministry of Manpower published in January 2023 show that 3.1 per cent of the workforce was employed in multiple jobs, on a part-time or full-time basis. This is down slightly from a 10-year peak of 3.5 per cent in 2021.

 

This article struck a chord with me though I suspect the percentage is higher.

 

I feel like I am doing 2 full time jobs (but definitely not in breach of any employment regulations).

 

The outcome is lack of sleep and health suffers.

 

Kudos to the overemployees in the article. 

[Guest Unemployed]

What else are you doing besides teaching?

[doncoin]

This is quite a common pattern. Part of it I think came during the pandemic when people worked from home. Suddenly, they have the freedom to do something else without the prying eyes of the boss. I have friends who started their own businesses from home while maintaining a full-time job. Another friend will spend her evenings doing customer support calls. She starts from 6 and works till like 10 or 11. It's not a bad way to make extra cash from the comfort of her home. 

[Startup]

My reason for taking on a second job was somewhat different. Early 2022 those who were not vaccinated were not allowed to enter workplaces in Singapore. I was suspended from my workplace. So I had to quickly find new employment. When I was allowed back at my workplace, I held on to my second employment. It was tough as I had to work long hours. But it was worth it as it showed me what I was capable of (and what my limits were). As a result of it, I am starting up a new biz, despite being dead set against doing a business for a long time.

[aftereightme]

14 hours ago, doncoin said:

This is quite a common pattern. Part of it I think came during the pandemic when people worked from home. Suddenly, they have the freedom to do something else without the prying eyes of the boss. I have friends who started their own businesses from home while maintaining a full-time job. Another friend will spend her evenings doing customer support calls. She starts from 6 and works till like 10 or 11. It's not a bad way to make extra cash from the comfort of her home. 

indeed, my handsome gay friend work as money 💰 boy [with short massage service]. And he said SIOK - his savings doubled 

[Balestier]

52 minutes ago, aftereightme said:

indeed, my handsome gay friend work as money 💰 boy [with short massage service]. And he said SIOK - his savings doubled 

Of course .. earn as much when still got looks and body

[Balestier]

On 12/1/2023 at 1:54 PM, Startup said:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/overemployed-a-look-at-those-who-secretly-juggle-2-full-time-jobs

 

Statistics from the Ministry of Manpower published in January 2023 show that 3.1 per cent of the workforce was employed in multiple jobs, on a part-time or full-time basis. This is down slightly from a 10-year peak of 3.5 per cent in 2021.

 

This article struck a chord with me though I suspect the percentage is higher.

 

I feel like I am doing 2 full time jobs (but definitely not in breach of any employment regulations).

 

The outcome is lack of sleep and health suffers.

 

Kudos to the overemployees in the article. 

Take care of yourself first. Just don't use company secret or use into company hours.

[Sweetie Pie]

When adding together your salaries, working two jobs does not guarantee that you are getting paid well. I would want to have a single, well-paying career that gives me more freedom and time to accomplish whatever I want.   If people have to hold two jobs to survive, it means our society is sick. 

[mate69]

This is quite a common phenomenon in the West, especially here where the cost of living is very high

[Guest Guest]

One way to keep you compliant is to keep you poor. You have to beg if you want anything more. And if given, you have to thank the grace and the mercy of your masters.

 

That's why the Singapore government allows employment contracts in Singapore to forbid you to take up a second job, and the government allows cost of living such as housing to rocket sky-high with token cooling measures for show.

 

Don't forget that.

 

 

[doncoin]

16 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

One way to keep you compliant is to keep you poor. You have to beg if you want anything more. And if given, you have to thank the grace and the mercy of your masters.

 

That's why the Singapore government allows employment contracts in Singapore to forbid you to take up a second job, and the government allows cost of living such as housing to rocket sky-high with token cooling measures for show.

 

Don't forget that.

 

 

 

So one of the things with such restrictive contracts is that you must read the terms carefully before you sign them. If you are restricted from taking on a second job to supplement your income, the employer has to ensure that the salary you are paid is in line with the industry. Failure to do so will give the employee grounds to ask for a higher salary that is in line with the industry norm, since you are restricted from taking on another job, or remove the restriction. 

 

Another thing to note with the restrictions is that anytime you are asked to perform a task that is beyond the scope of the job description, you can politely decline to do so since the scope of your job would have been clearly defined in the contract. 

 

Contracts are negotiable. So don't always sign it immediately. Spend time reviewing it, and asked for legal opinion if needed to guide you.  

 

[singalion]

8 hours ago, doncoin said:

 

So one of the things with such restrictive contracts is that you must read the terms carefully before you sign them. If you are restricted from taking on a second job to supplement your income, the employer has to ensure that the salary you are paid is in line with the industry. Failure to do so will give the employee grounds to ask for a higher salary that is in line with the industry norm, since you are restricted from taking on another job, or remove the restriction. 

 

Another thing to note with the restrictions is that anytime you are asked to perform a task that is beyond the scope of the job description, you can politely decline to do so since the scope of your job would have been clearly defined in the contract. 

 

Contracts are negotiable. So don't always sign it immediately. Spend time reviewing it, and asked for legal opinion if needed to guide you.  

 

 

You are right, contracts are negotiable but ... I don't think any employer would agree on an employee running two jobs when it comes to a full time job.

 

For part time employment the limitation sought by employers are less. Maybe working for a competitor might not be allowed but taking on a second part time job can probably not be restricted.

 

Nowadays, there are many employees who run some side business next to their full time job. Also being an social media marketeer (influencer) costs you time or if you are involved in the sales of the promoted online products it will require you to work during the normal office hours.

 

Many employers are understanding, if you disclose but your side business shouldn't infringe into your work attitude and concentration.

 

Often it is better after some while when the employer knows you are a good employee to talk to the boss or supervisor. I bet in most cases you will find an arrangement.

 

 

[Balestier]

2 hours ago, singalion said:

 

You are right, contracts are negotiable but ... I don't think any employer would agree on an employee running two jobs when it comes to a full time job.

 

For part time employment the limitation sought by employers are less. Maybe working for a competitor might not be allowed but taking on a second part time job can probably not be restricted.

 

Nowadays, there are many employees who run some side business next to their full time job. Also being an social media marketeer (influencer) costs you time or if you are involved in the sales of the promoted online products it will require you to work during the normal office hours.

 

Many employers are understanding, if you disclose but your side business shouldn't infringe into your work attitude and concentration.

 

Often it is better after some while when the employer knows you are a good employee to talk to the boss or supervisor. I bet in most cases you will find an arrangement.

 

 

Think most employers will have no issue if the other job after your working hours. And you do not use company secrets

[Sweetie Pie]

We've heard of members of our society's upper classes holding ten different directorships.   Even those who earned outrageous salaries saw that as a part-time work in addition to their full-time jobs in the private sector.   Go guess.

[single42]

my full time job is a cook. my side hustle is a house cleaning gig which i started on my own. i do it on my off days. it doesn't clash with my professional job. i handle the earning & the timing.

[Sweetie Pie]

Someone can be a full-time worker during the day and makes extra money at night by selling satay with a friend.  This is ideal because he spends less time at home and his sleep is not affected.  

[radiusulnar]

sounds wonderful to have a second job to earn extra. but i suspect my laziness will put that to a quick end.

[Guest guest]

There are quite a number of people who actually office allow them to work from home, but instead of working from home, they sneak out to do food delivery.

[Guest guest]

Some companies do not allow their employees to do any parti-time job, it is indicated on the contract. So i don't know if some of these people who do part-time job is consider 'illegally'.

[Balestier]

8 hours ago, Guest guest said:

Some companies do not allow their employees to do any parti-time job, it is indicated on the contract. So i /don't know if some of these people who do part-time job is consider 'illegally'.

Not enforceable provided the part time is not during your full-time work and I do not use any company IP or resources

[Guest Guest]

6 hours ago, Balestier said:

Not enforceable provided the part time is not during your full-time work and I do not use any company IP or resources

 

True.....but some food delivery workers are using their full time work from home working hour to do food delivery out there. I think this is absolutely not right. No wonder some companies are against of work from home because of these black sheeps.

[Balestier]

18 minutes ago, Guest Guest said:

 

True.....but some food delivery workers are using their full time work from home working hour to do food delivery out there. I think this is absolutely not right. No wonder some companies are against of work from home because of these black sheeps.

Will be in trouble if caught red handed

[Guest Guest]

5 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

 

True.....but some food delivery workers are using their full time work from home working hour to do food delivery out there. I think this is absolutely not right. No wonder some companies are against of work from home because of these black sheeps.

This is why i do not support WFH, cause majority people do not have self discipline. If allow WFH, even the person does not do part time job during working hours, but most people also slack at home, like sleep, doing own things etc. Companies paid salary to employees is not to let them slack at home during working hours lah.

[Balestier]

1 hour ago, Guest Guest said:

This is why i do not support WFH, cause majority people do not have self discipline. If allow WFH, even the person does not do part time job during working hours, but most people also slack at home, like sleep, doing own things etc. Companies paid salary to employees is not to let them slack at home during working hours lah.

My HR caught my staff having high tea in a cafe during her working hours.

[Guest Guest]

1 hour ago, Balestier said:

My HR caught my staff having high tea in a cafe during her working hours.

What happened to your staff then?

[Guest Guest]

3 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

This is why i do not support WFH, cause majority people do not have self discipline. If allow WFH, even the person does not do part time job during working hours, but most people also slack at home, like sleep, doing own things etc. Companies paid salary to employees is not to let them slack at home during working hours lah.

 

Such sleeping cases happened in a few departments at our company during working from home. We have been notified for zoom meeting at a timing and there was always missing staff. No response when calling them so gotta call their home. Guess what...their parents answered the call and we were told that they were sleeping. End up parents gotta wake them up. There were also some staff showing "away" for 3-4hrs, obviously they were not working at home but probably in their neighbourhood shopping. 

Not everyone got self discipline.

[Guest Guest]

4 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

This is why i do not support WFH, cause majority people do not have self discipline. If allow WFH, even the person does not do part time job during working hours, but most people also slack at home, like sleep, doing own things etc. Companies paid salary to employees is not to let them slack at home during working hours lah.

 

If companies are not paying salaries to employees to let them slack at home during office hours, are they paying salaries to employees when they work at home late into the night?

 

Let's be honest about it: as long as his quality of work is not affected, so what if the person want to do his part time job during working hours? Some HR may have caught people having high tea during office hours, but did they see the person working his butts off during his lunch time which might have been the reason why he had high tea instead? 

 

Distance working has been quite the norm in Western countries for the longest time, since the distance for them to travel to and from work doesn't make any sense for them to go to the office all the time. But yet, work still gets done. It is only in some  pseudo-first world countries like Singapore which is still insisting for people to be seated at some stupid desk for 8 hours a day even when there is no need to. And instead of focusing on the delivery of the results, people focus on the amount of time spent on their desk. 

 

And by the way, I neither work from home nor the office ... and I am not a Grab driver. 

[Guest guest]

And this is why Elon Musk doesn't support work from home. He said that work from home was no longer acceptable at his company and called that work from home a bullshit.

 

6 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

This is why i do not support WFH, cause majority people do not have self discipline. If allow WFH, even the person does not do part time job during working hours, but most people also slack at home, like sleep, doing own things etc. Companies paid salary to employees is not to let them slack at home during working hours lah.

 

 

 

[singalion]

On 1/4/2024 at 6:47 AM, Balestier said:

Not enforceable provided the part time is not during your full-time work and I do not use any company IP or resources

Not really correct.

 

If your after office jobs are too strenuous and labourious then surely that would give reason for a notice of termination.

 

Your after work hours are meant to be for rest. 
 

 

[singalion]

7 hours ago, Guest guest said:

And this is why Elon Musk doesn't support work from home. He said that work from home was no longer acceptable at his company and called that work from home a bullshit.

 

 

 

 

While Elon Musk giving a good example flew from the US to Qatar to watch a World Cup soccer match…

 

Musk seems a control freak and totally unreasonable in his job demands.

 

 

[singalion]

9 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

 

If companies are not paying salaries to employees to let them slack at home during office hours, are they paying salaries to employees when they work at home late into the night?

 

Let's be honest about it: as long as his quality of work is not affected, so what if the person want to do his part time job during working hours? Some HR may have caught people having high tea during office hours, but did they see the person working his butts off during his lunch time which might have been the reason why he had high tea instead? 

 

Distance working has been quite the norm in Western countries for the longest time, since the distance for them to travel to and from work doesn't make any sense for them to go to the office all the time. But yet, work still gets done. It is only in some  pseudo-first world countries like Singapore which is still insisting for people to be seated at some stupid desk for 8 hours a day even when there is no need to. And instead of focusing on the delivery of the results, people focus on the amount of time spent on their desk. 

 

And by the way, I neither work from home nor the office ... and I am not a Grab driver. 

The Western countries are also switching back to office attendance after Covid and only having exceptions for certain circumstances,…

 

 

[Balestier]

10 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

 

If companies are not paying salaries to employees to let them slack at home during office hours, are they paying salaries to employees when they work at home late into the night?

 

Let's be honest about it: as long as his quality of work is not affected, so what if the person want to do his part time job during working hours? Some HR may have caught people having high tea during office hours, but did they see the person working his butts off during his lunch time which might have been the reason why he had high tea instead? 

 

Distance working has been quite the norm in Western countries for the longest time, since the distance for them to travel to and from work doesn't make any sense for them to go to the office all the time. But yet, work still gets done. It is only in some  pseudo-first world countries like Singapore which is still insisting for people to be seated at some stupid desk for 8 hours a day even when there is no need to. And instead of focusing on the delivery of the results, people focus on the amount of time spent on their desk. 

 

And by the way, I neither work from home nor the office ... and I am not a Grab driver. 

 the person desktop are off  during lunch time, off days and after work hours.

[Balestier]

1 hour ago, singalion said:

Not really correct.

 

If your after office jobs are too strenuous and labourious then surely that would give reason for a notice of termination.

 

Your after work hours are meant to be for rest. 
 

 

Then it's the employee fault if he is injured 

[Guest Guest]

2 hours ago, singalion said:

Not really correct.

 

If your after office jobs are too strenuous and labourious then surely that would give reason for a notice of termination.

 

Your after work hours are meant to be for rest. 
 

 

 

New year with new BS from singalion. That's the only thing that is not new. 

 

2 hours ago, singalion said:

The Western countries are also switching back to office attendance after Covid and only having exceptions for certain circumstances,…

 

 

 

Who's talking about those WFH cases which happened during COVID? 

 

 

[Guest Guest]

1 hour ago, Balestier said:

 the person desktop are off  during lunch time, off days and after work hours.

 

maybe your company can hire an inefficient person who needs to work during lunch time, off days and after work hours.

[Balestier]

38 minutes ago, Guest Guest said:

 

maybe your company can hire an inefficient person who needs to work during lunch time, off days and after work hours.

So don't assume that every person will work his butts off during non office hours

[Guest Guest]

47 minutes ago, Balestier said:

So don't assume that every person will work his butts off during non office hours

 

aren't you the one assuming that every person won't? 

[Balestier]

6 minutes ago, Guest Guest said:

 

aren't you the one assuming that every person won't? 

I won't expect

[singalion]

4 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

 

New year with new BS from singalion. That's the only thing that is not new. 

 

 

Who's talking about those WFH cases which happened during COVID? 

 

 

 

You are really trying very hard to ridicule yourself here with your repeated trolling posts. 

 

Maybe instead you sign up for a basic Employment Law course? 

 

But I assume for you the course would be wasted... 😂

 

 

[singalion]

5 hours ago, Balestier said:

Then it's the employee fault if he is injured 

 

I wasn't talking about injury but if employees do so much on the side that they are tired during normal office hours or just don't get sufficient rest. 

 

Let's take the example of a fulltime sales manager who works also as a pole dancer in a gay nightclub 6 nights a week from 8pm to 3am. 

 

 

[Guest Guest]

4 hours ago, singalion said:

 

You are really trying very hard to ridicule yourself here with your repeated trolling posts. 

 

Maybe instead you sign up for a basic Employment Law course? 

 

But I assume for you the course would be wasted... 😂

 

 

 

Oh yes, of course we need a ridiculous foreigner to tell us about our local Employment Law here, as if he is so knowledgeable about that, don't we? Yeah right. 

[egal]

mom is really called mom becaus eof tht; to be a nanny of the nation, lol

[Why?]

Managing two occupations on the same day is difficult.  I've tried it once, and it wears you out quickly.  Here's why.  
You spent the morning working in one place and then hurried to finish it so you could work in a different locations, with different culture and supervisor.  Every day, you were thrown into one saucepan and before you realised you were half cooked, you ended up in a different pot.   Your earnings from two jobs might still be the same if you hold on to one full time job.    

 

Claiming to make "extra income" from doing two jobs is a fallacy; this is only feasible if you work two jobs and don't sleep at all or if you sideline without quitting your full-time job.   After I quit working two jobs, I was able to devote all of my time and energy to one job, reporting to only one employer and receiving full-time benefits.

 

Some people, on the other hand, can be in different situations. For example, they might need to work two jobs to make up the difference in their savings because their first job did not pay enough to cover their basic survival expenses.  If at all possible, steer clear of the situations and put your health first.

 

 

Edited 14 hours ago by Why?

[Steve5380]

To be forced to have two full time jobs can be a circumstance of life.  But this is not desirable.

 

The goal for our professional life should be a) to discover early enough our vocation, science or art or industry or commerce we feel passionate about,  and b) give the highest priority to our education in this field, pursuing a college education with post graduation if possible.   This will assure that we become proficient in our field, with good perspectives for a full time job that is well paid and give us satisfaction throughout life.

 

But good luck is important too.  One has to be born in ( or move towards ) a country where one's skills are in good demand.  In my native Argentina there were few work opportunities for electrical engineers,  and I was so lucky to find a multinational company that transferred me to the US.  We see a sad situation in this huge country of China, where the population now aims for high levels of education, with a superabundance of PhDs in many fields who cannot find a job in their specialties.  They end up underemployed, underpaid, unhappy.    Hopefully Singapore is not experiencing this situation of underemployment.  If it should exist in your field,... move on!  The World is a large place, and, like the proverb says:  " no one is a prophet in his land "  (translated from Spanish) 😄

[Why?]

8 hours ago, Steve5380 said:

They end up underemployed, underpaid, unhappy.     😄

Baseless accusation, as usual, reminiscent of your obstinate dissemination of false information with the obvious intent to deceive people.