Terri Dee, producer/reporter, Indiana News Service, a bureau of Public News Service.
Americans working two jobs to help with living expenses and cover some extras has become the norm. The U.S. Census shows that 25% of Midwest women work multiple jobs within office and administration. Of men, 24% hold outside jobs in management.
One study by MyPerfectResume found that 71% of U.S. workers rely on a secondary income.
Jasmine Escalara, reinvention coach for the company, says many workers struggle to make enough solely on their primary job to cover their basic necessities. However, juggling two jobs can remove opportunities for career advancement and result in other drawbacks.
“The biggest piece of data we found is that 49% of people surveyed said that their secondary source of income is actually impacting their performance at their primary job,” said Escalara. “So, what we’re seeing here is, ‘I need this, but even though I need this, I’m not doing a good job at my primary job.'”
She noted this imbalance decreases the ability to achieve a lifestyle that supports a work-life balance. The lack of productivity brought on by stress and fatigue from a primary job means you’re likely not putting in the extra investment needed to get higher pay, better titles, or job promotions.
A 2019 U.S. Census report reveals that in Indiana, nearly 13% of Hoosiers and as many as 10.4% of Californians have more than one job.
Back to office trend can be problematic for multi-job workers
The list of companies mandating that workers return to the office full-time keeps growing. This change could mean remote workers with established routines and multiple jobs face disruptions. And many employees have no choice but to conform or face losing their jobs.
Escalera said making yourself a priority and focusing on maintaining boundaries is critical.
“If you have gotten a taste of this and you don’t want to go back, then it’s really about, ‘I may need to find another company that’s going to be able to give me this flexibility.’ And then, you’re stepping into a job search where your big value and concern — and the thing that you’re looking for — is that level of flexibility,” she continued.
Twenty-one percent of people surveyed report experiencing stress and burnout and spending less time with family and friends while juggling two jobs. Escalara suggests that the best solution is to start a job search to find a company that permits remote work.
