Polygamous working: why are people secretly doing two or three full-time jobs at once?

The rise of polygamous working - a phenomenon where individuals hold two or more full-time jobs simultaneously without their employers' knowledge - has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, particularly in the post-pandemic era. This trend has led some to wonder: what drives people to take on multiple jobs, and is it truly a victimless crime?

While polygamy in the classical sense refers to having multiple spouses, this modern concept of "polygamous working" has nothing to do with relationships or polyamory. Rather, it's about making ends meet by juggling multiple jobs that require varying degrees of time commitment.

Some argue that holding down multiple full-time jobs is a smart way to increase earning potential and enjoy greater work-life balance. Others claim that it can be a thrilling challenge that allows individuals to diversify their skills and explore new interests. However, experts warn that this arrangement can also lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and blurred lines between personal and professional life.

The lack of transparency surrounding polygamous working has raised concerns about potential laws and regulations being skirted. In the UK, for instance, the National Fraud Initiative (NFI) has been cracking down on public sector employees with multiple full-time jobs, citing cases of "fraud" against taxpayers.

But how widespread is this phenomenon? While exact numbers are hard to come by, online forums like Reddit's r/overemployed community suggest that polygamous working is more common than one might think. On the other hand, some individuals admit that taking on multiple jobs can be daunting, with one man confessing that four full-time jobs was "too much" for him.

As the nature of work evolves and hybrid remote arrangements become increasingly prevalent, it's clear that polygamous working is a double-edged sword: offering opportunities for greater flexibility and financial gain but also carrying risks of exploitation and blurring the lines between personal and professional lives.

I mean, can you blame people for wanting to make ends meet? It's crazy how much uncertainty there is with these job situations - some people are all about it, like they're in a game or something , while others are just trying not to lose their minds . And I feel like we're kinda at this crossroads where the old 9-to-5 thing isn't working anymore, but who knows what's gonna come out of it? It's wild that people are doing multiple jobs and just... not getting caught on it . Like, I guess it's good for some folks to have more freedom and flexibility, but at the same time, you gotta wonder about all the burnout and stress that comes with it .

I'm low-key obsessed with this polygamous working trend . I mean, who wouldn't want to level up their income and have more freedom in their schedule? It's like having multiple escape routes from the 9-to-5 grind . But at the same time, I can see how it could get out of hand and lead to burnout. I've got a friend who works three jobs and they're always talking about how they need to "switch gears" to avoid exhaustion . It's like, if you're good at juggling multiple things, why not use that skill to create a life of purpose? The only thing that worries me is when the authorities start cracking down on it, 'cause what if people get punished for just trying to make ends meet? That would be harsh, fam .

I'm thinkin' its like the old saying "you can't have your cake and eat it" . People want more, but they're willin' to sacrifice a lil' bit of sanity in the process? Like, what's the real goal here? Just gettin' that extra paycheck or doin' it all 'cause you wanna be some kinda superhero multitasker? And don't even get me started on them Reddit forums... people say they're overemployed but then go on to list out their entire 4 jobs and think that's a good thing? Burnout, schmurnout. It's all about the benjamins, fam

I think its kinda wild that people are doin' this... like, I get it if you wanna make ends meet or all that, but isn't it just a bit stressful to have multiple jobs on top of each other? Like, aren't u pretty exhausted after a long day at one job already?

And yeah, I can see how some people might enjoy the challenge and the extra cash, but isnt that just like... burnout waiting to happen? On the other hand, if u do it right, maybe u can achieve a better work-life balance or somethin. Idk, Im not an expert .

What I am worried about is the lack of transparency and potential laws bein' skirted. Like, isnt that just unfair to everyone else who's stuck in one job?

I'm kinda curious about this polygamous working thing . I think some people might get into it because they're trying to save up money or pay off debt, you know? But at the same time, I don't think it's a good idea for everyone . If you've got too many jobs, how do you even have time for yourself? It sounds like it could be exhausting .

I also wonder if some people are just trying to be all over the place and impress their employers with their work ethic . But what about burnout? That's not good for anyone . And I guess there's always a risk that you'll get caught, which is pretty stressful .

I don't know, maybe some people will figure it out and make it work... but personally, I think I'd stick to one job, thanks .

I don’t usually comment but... I think it’s kinda crazy how people are taking on multiple jobs these days . Like, four full-time jobs is a lot, right? But at the same time, some people seem to be making it work, like they're pros or something . And honestly, I can see why someone might want to do that - life can get expensive, you know?

But what really gets me is how everyone's always talking about burnout and productivity loss . Like, isn’t that just a normal part of working hard? You don't get a participation trophy for putting in 100 hours a week . It’s like some people are saying it’s okay to take on too much work, but not really doing anything to help others who might be struggling with the same thing.

And can we talk about the whole "victimless crime" thing? I don’t think that's exactly how it works. If someone's taking on four jobs without their employers' knowledge, they're still breaking rules somewhere . Maybe we need to have a conversation about what's really going on here and find some solutions that work for everyone .

I remember when we were worried about people just getting one more job to pay off student loans, not like this now... everyone's got a side hustle ! I mean, I've seen some young folks work 4-5 jobs just to keep up with their savings goals . It's either super smart or totally crazy, who knows? Some people thrive on the chaos and love the extra cash, while others are just trying to survive . The thing is, we need to figure out how this polygamous working thing is gonna affect our social safety nets and work-life balance ...

I'm loving how adaptable people are these days . I've got a mate who does two jobs, one in marketing and the other as an IT consultant, and he says it's all about flexibility and not wanting to be tied down to just one income stream . At the same time, I can understand why some people would feel burned out after juggling multiple gigs - my aunt was doing three part-time jobs and she said it took a toll on her mental health .

I think what's interesting is how this phenomenon speaks to our society's shifting views on work-life balance. With more remote work options, people can choose their own schedules and create their own path, which is awesome . But at the same time, we need to make sure everyone's being taken care of and that we're not exploiting anyone who takes on multiple jobs .

It's all about finding that sweet spot where you're earning enough and having the freedom to pursue your passions . I'm just glad people are taking control of their own careers and making choices that work for them