The Rise of the "Overemployed": How One Gen Xer is Redefining Remote Work
In a world where remote work has become the norm, a growing number of people are taking bold steps to maximize their earnings and job security by juggling multiple full-time jobs secretly. Harrison, a quality assurance professional in the IT sector, is at the forefront of this trend. By managing six remote jobs simultaneously and outsourcing most of his tasks to a team of seven workers, he aims to earn around $800,000 this year. His strategy, while unconventional, highlights the possibilities and challenges of the "overemployed" lifestyle, where individuals take on multiple roles to build financial resilience.
Building a Remote Work Empire: How Harrison Makes it Work
Harrison’s journey into the world of overemployment began around 2018, when he started working two remote jobs. When the pandemic hit, and remote roles became more abundant, he expanded his portfolio to three and then four jobs. However, managing the workload became unsustainable, leading him to hire freelancers through platforms like Upwork to handle most of his tasks. Today, his team includes four employees who complete his work, a brother-in-law who manages operations and stands in for him during meetings, and two others who help him apply for new jobs. This setup allows Harrison to focus on attending meetings and overseeing his team, which he estimates takes about 40 hours a week.
The Logistics of Secretly Juggling Multiple Jobs
Harrison’s operation relies heavily on software tools like Zoom, TeamViewer, and UltraViewer, which allow his team remote access to his work computers. He uses a VPN with a US location to maintain the illusion of working from the States, even though he lives abroad most of the year. To manage the complexity of multiple roles, he pairs employees with specific jobs, though some workers handle two jobs at once. Despite the risks, Harrison claims none of his employers have suspected his dual roles, and he has learned to stall when asked questions he can’t answer immediately. His team keeps him updated, allowing him to respond appropriately.
The Financial and Emotional Benefits of Overemployment
Harrison’s overemployment strategy has yielded significant financial rewards. In 2023, he earned approximately $470,000 from six full-time remote jobs, with a net profit of around $320,000 after paying his team. In 2024, he took on as many as nine jobs, earning over $500,000 before taxes. This income has brought him a sense of security, reducing the anxieties of stock market losses, bills, and his children’s tuition. "The big difference of having more jobs is I’m less nervous — because if something doesn’t go well, it’s not going to kill me," he explains. For Harrison, overemployment is not just about earning more; it’s also about creating a safety net.
The Broader Trend and Its Implications
Harrison is not alone in embracing the overemployment trend. Over the past three years, Business Insider has interviewed more than two dozen workers who secretly hold multiple jobs to boost their incomes and job security. While many manage their roles independently, a smaller group, like Harrison, has taken it a step further by outsourcing their work. This trend is facilitated by the remote work revolution, globalized social networks, and access to software tools that make outsourcing possible. However, the practice comes with risks, including professional repercussions and burnout. Additionally, return-to-office mandates and a hiring slowdown in white-collar industries have made it harder to land remote roles.
The Future of Overemployment and Its Ethical Considerations
Looking ahead, Harrison plans to continue his overemployment strategy, as he believes it’s necessary to maintain his lifestyle until he can retire. He finds that having about six jobs is the "sweet spot," allowing him to significantly boost his earnings and job security without becoming overwhelmed. If things become too much, he can always drop a job, giving him the flexibility to choose his commitments. While Harrison’s approach may raise ethical questions about honesty in the workplace, it also highlights the resourcefulness and resilience of workers navigating the challenges of the modern economy. His story serves as a fascinating case study in the evolving nature of work and the lengths people will go to secure their financial futures.
