Millions of Americans are working two jobs to stay afloat – but experts reveal the ‘polyworking’ boom comes with a painful price

DAILYMAIL.COM • 3h ago

By SADIE WHITELOCKS, US SENIOR REPORTER Updated: 06:58 22 Oct 2026

Forget the nine-to-five: millions of Americans are taking on extra work to boost their income, pursue passions and protect themselves against an uncertain job market.

Around 5.5 percent of employed Americans – roughly nine million people – hold multiple jobs, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Known as ‘polyworking,’ the trend involves juggling multiple paid roles rather than relying on a single employer. For some, it is a financial lifeline, while others see it as a chance to develop new skills or find more fulfilling work.

But employment attorney Jonathan Segal, a partner at Duane Morris, says workers need to think carefully before adding another job.

Speaking on SHRM’s All Things Work podcast, Segal said transparency with employers was one of the most important considerations.

‘Where I’ve seen things go wrong from the employee side and the employer side is when the employee is hiding the ball,’ he explained.

He warned that failing to disclose another role could damage an employee’s job prospects and professional reputation if the arrangement comes to light.

Before taking on extra work, employees should consider whether a side hustle competes with their main employer or interferes with their primary responsibilities.

‘If you can’t give your all, then you probably should have a conversation about what the expectations of your employer are and can you meet them,’ Segal said.

He advised workers to check workplace policies and employment agreements, particularly where outside work must be disclosed or competing activities are prohibited.

Even without an explicit disclosure requirement, being upfront can help prevent misunderstandings and allow employers to raise concerns early.

Segal suggested approaching the conversation collaboratively, reassuring the employer that the main job remains a priority while discussing potential conflicts.

Multiple jobs can also create tax complications, depending on the type of work, earnings and state of residence. Segal advised seeking guidance from an accountant or tax professional rather than assuming every side hustle is treated the same way.

Then there is the personal toll. Juggling multiple roles can put workers at risk of burnout, particularly if they already have demanding full-time jobs.

Segal said employees should pay attention to whether a second job energizes them or leaves them feeling drained.

‘If you’re getting angry at both, if you’re getting angry at everyone around you, you’re overextended,’ he warned.

Fatigue, anxiety and resentment toward either employer can signal that the arrangement has become too much to manage. If extra work begins to undermine performance in a primary role, employees may need to reconsider how much they take on.

Workers discussing polyworking on Reddit also questioned whether the extra income was worth the strain.

One user described working two full-time remote jobs as ‘absolutely overwhelming and sometimes soul crushing,’ adding that the extra income was the only way they could save for emergencies or potentially buy a house.

Another commenter said the arrangement had affected their health.

‘Oh yeah, polyworking sounds super fun – who doesn’t love juggling two or three jobs for the thrill of feeling constantly overwhelmed? I tried it once for a couple months.

‘Turns out, trading sleep and sanity for extra income wasn’t my best move. Sure, you can line your pockets, but you’ll also line the doctor’s, dealing with stress-induced headaches. So yeah, not looking to relive that joyride anytime soon.’

Yet not everyone sees working multiple jobs as unmanageable, particularly when remote roles offer flexibility.

Segal described a case involving a remote worker who held jobs at two professional services firms simultaneously for nine months before one employer fired them.

He said the case illustrated why clear expectations and appropriate supervision matter, rather than assuming remote work allows employees to divide their hours however they choose.

Some Reddit users argued that multiple remote jobs can be manageable when workloads are light.

One commenter said they had worked two tech jobs from home, each requiring fewer than 20 hours of actual work a week, adding: ‘It’s more than possible to work two and still only work 35 hours a week.’

Others were less convinced, with one warning that ‘most companies will actually fire you if you work multiple jobs at once without approval.’

Confidentiality is another potential pitfall, particularly in industries where trade secrets or sensitive company information are critical. Workers should consider whether a second role could create a conflict of interest or expose information belonging to their main employer.

Polyworking can provide a financial cushion or a route to greater fulfillment, but Segal’s advice is that employees must weigh the benefits against the demands on their time, energy and professional relationships.

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