The world of technology is buzzing, captivated by stories of individuals discreetly managing multiple full-time remote roles simultaneously. This practice, increasingly known as “overemployment,” has sparked widespread debate, self-reflection, and even humor across the industry. At the center of recent discussions is a software engineer whose case thrust the reality and complexities of juggling jobs into the spotlight, prompting others engaged in the trend to share their own experiences, motivations, and strategies.
The Case That Ignited the Debate: Soham Parekh
Public attention on overemployment surged following accusations against software engineer Soham Parekh. Suhail Doshi, founder of Playground AI, publicly claimed Parekh was working for several startups concurrently, particularly targeting Y Combinator-backed companies. Doshi stated he had fired Parekh shortly after hiring him upon discovering the deception. This public accusation quickly led to other founders coming forward to confirm similar experiences, having hired or interviewed a Soham Parekh only to later find he was juggling other roles, often leading to dismissal. Companies like Leaping AI and Synthesia also confirmed brief employment periods, citing discovery of other jobs and, in Leaping AI’s case, underperformance as reasons for termination. Matt Parkhurst, CEO of Antimetal, called Parekh smart but also let him go upon learning of his multiple roles.
Soham Parekh himself addressed the allegations on a podcast, confirming that he had indeed worked multiple jobs simultaneously. He expressed regret, stating he was “not proud” and didn’t endorse the practice for others. Parekh explained his actions were driven by “extremely dire financial circumstances,” describing it as a necessity rather than a career strategy or business venture. He claimed to have worked around 140 hours per week to handle the immense workload, calling himself a “serial non-sleeper.” He pushed back against suggestions he heavily relied on junior engineers or AI, noting much of this occurred before the latest AI programming boom. Parekh insisted he “deeply cared about” each company, despite the situation. While multiple companies terminated his employment, some founders acknowledged his technical skills. Igor Zalutski, CEO of Digger, noted Parekh’s brilliance in technical problem-solving during interviews, potentially placing him in the “top 0.1%,” though a background check issue halted his hiring there. In California, where many tech startups are located, the legality typically hinges on individual employment contracts rather than a blanket prohibition on holding multiple jobs.
The Broader Overemployment Trend: Why the Juggling Act?
Parekh’s case, while high-profile due to its public nature and the number of companies involved, reflects a growing trend amplified by the rise of remote work post-2020. Job insecurity is a major driver. One millennial tech worker, pseudonymously named Reed, turned to secret job juggling after experiencing four layoffs in just four years between 2020 and 2023. Facing persistent instability despite finding new roles relatively easily, he saw holding two jobs as the only way to counter the risk of continuous unemployment and maintain financial stability for his family, including supporting an unemployed partner and helping parents and relatives.
Financial pressure is a powerful motivator. Years of stagnant real wages and modest average raises, coupled with rising living costs, mean even higher earners feel financially stretched. Overemployment allows individuals to achieve the income equivalent of multiple promotions instantly, bypassing slow traditional career progression. Some view it as a direct response to corporate layoffs that have eroded employee loyalty; if a company can cut staff without warning, why should an employee be loyal to a single employer?
For many, the goal extends beyond just paying bills. Another IT professional using the pseudonym George proactively sought a second remote job purely out of concern over a potential return-to-office mandate from his initial employer. Two years into juggling, he earns double his previous single-job income, using it to accelerate mortgage payments and build significant savings. His aim is early retirement, potentially by age 50, enabling financial independence and the freedom to potentially travel or live abroad later. This pursuit of financial freedom is a common thread among those engaging in overemployment, aiming to fast-track savings and gain control over their future work lives. The founders of the Overemployed website frame it not just as increasing income, but as a strategy for regaining control and achieving financial independence sooner.
Mastering the Multitask: Strategies for Juggling Jobs
Successful overemployment relies heavily on the flexibility offered by remote work. Individuals like Reed and George strategically sought roles at companies with strong remote work cultures, even declining in-office or uncertain remote opportunities. The core strategy isn’t necessarily overachieving in both roles, but consistently meeting all requirements and deliverables for each. George adjusted his mindset from being an “overachiever” to being “good or decent” across multiple positions. The Overemployed website founders echo this, stating that practitioners aim to meet expectations efficiently rather than exceeding them, which they feel often isn’t adequately rewarded in a single traditional job.
Workload management is critical. Reed manages around 60 hours per week, including some evenings and weekends, while George reports typically working no more than 45 hours. This contrasts sharply with Parekh’s claimed 140 hours during his intense period. Strategies include prioritizing sleep and rising early (Reed), focusing on one job’s tasks for extended blocks before switching (Reed), and taking breaks to mentally separate roles (Reed).
Maintaining secrecy is paramount due to potential conflicts with employment contracts or non-compete clauses. Practitioners use separate computers for each job. Scheduling meetings is a constant challenge, often requiring proactive calendar management. Reed blocks off meeting times for one job on the calendar of the other to prevent conflicts. Some resort to complex maneuvers involving multiple devices to appear present in overlapping virtual meetings. Avoiding professional networking platforms like LinkedIn is also crucial to prevent colleagues or managers from discovering parallel employment. The community built around this practice emphasizes discretion as a primary rule.
The High Stakes: Rewards and Risks
The financial rewards of successful overemployment are significant. Reed earns around $280,000 annually from his two jobs. George doubled his income to roughly $250,000 per year. The Overemployed community reports members earning between $200,000 and $400,000 annually. This income surge allows individuals to tackle substantial financial goals, from supporting family and paying mortgages to rapidly building nest eggs and accelerating retirement plans.
However, the practice comes with considerable risks. Discovery by employers can lead to immediate termination, as seen in the Soham Parekh case and acknowledged by others like George, who lost one position upon discovery. Burnout is a very real threat. Reed acknowledges the possibility of burnout within his planned three-to-five-year window for continuing the practice. George also describes the situation as “far from ideal” due to the stress. Balancing demanding workloads, managing schedules, and maintaining secrecy create constant pressure. While George finds the financial benefits outweigh the stress currently, the sustainability is a major concern for many. Furthermore, questions surrounding the ethics and potential contractual breaches add another layer of risk. It’s a balancing act between potentially rapid financial gain and significant professional and personal costs.
Not for Everyone: Suitability and Context
Overemployment is not a viable strategy for everyone. It is most practical in remote, computer-based roles where tasks can be managed asynchronously or efficiently after gaining expertise. Jobs requiring extensive face-to-face interaction, unpredictable demands, or significant travel are generally incompatible. The ability to manage time, maintain strict organization, and handle high levels of stress are also essential traits. It often requires a certain privilege, such as not having significant caregiving responsibilities that compete with work hours. The academic/startup juggling act, like Dr. Frederic Cegla balancing his Imperial College role with the Permasense spin-out, presents a different model of professional juggling focused on splitting time between distinct types of high-demand work, highlighting that “juggling” comes in many forms, with the remote full-time job approach being just one, albeit currently prominent, iteration.
The Future of Work Debate
The overemployment phenomenon sparks larger conversations about the evolving nature of work, particularly in the tech sector. It highlights shifts in employee expectations and loyalty in response to volatile job markets and the opportunities created by widespread remote work. While some view it as a savvy financial strategy in uncertain times, others raise ethical concerns regarding transparency and potential impact on productivity or team dynamics. The viral nature of stories like Soham Parekh’s, generating widespread discussion, memes, and serious reflection among prominent tech figures, underscores how this trend is forcing the industry to confront complex questions about employment agreements, employee surveillance, and the very definition of a “full-time” role in a remote-first world. As companies continue to navigate remote work and economic uncertainty, the motivations and consequences of job juggling will likely remain a significant point of discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are tech workers turning to ‘overemployment’?
Tech professionals are increasingly adopting overemployment primarily due to financial pressures and job insecurity. Following periods of significant layoffs, many face instability and stagnant wage growth relative to rising costs. Juggling multiple remote jobs allows them to significantly increase income, rapidly build savings, pay off debt, support families, and accelerate goals like financial independence or early retirement, providing a sense of control in an unpredictable market.
How do professionals manage working multiple full-time remote jobs?
Managing multiple remote jobs requires strict organization and strategy. Key techniques include dedicating specific time blocks to each job, proactively blocking meeting times on calendars to avoid conflicts, using separate computers for each role to maintain secrecy, and focusing on consistently meeting all requirements rather than overperforming. They leverage the flexibility of remote work and manage communication carefully to handle competing deadlines.
What are the risks and legal considerations of overemployment?
The main risks include discovery by employers, which often leads to immediate termination, as seen in several cases. Burnout is also a significant threat due to high workloads and stress. Legally, the practice typically depends on the terms of individual employment contracts, which often require disclosure of other employment or restrict work for competitors. Failing to disclose or violating contract terms can have serious professional and potentially legal consequences.
This trend challenges traditional notions of single employment and raises ongoing questions about loyalty, transparency, and the future structure of work in the digital age.
