Some Overemployed Workers Maintain High Earnings Despite Return-to-Office Mandates, While Others See Income Cut in Half

Daniel, in his 40s and living in Texas, is on track to earn roughly $330,000 in 2026 from two full-time jobs, according to interviews conducted by Business Insider. He previously averaged 40 to 50 hours per week across both roles and now regularly approaches 60 hours per week. One of Daniel's employers now requires a couple of office days each month after previously being fully remote.

The same employer conducted layoffs in the past year and now requires workers to manually log how they spend their time. Daniel has used the extra income to buy multiple rental properties and cover his child's college tuition. "I can't even imagine going back to just a single job.

I've gotten used to the income," Daniel said. He added that his primary employer knows he has outside work but focuses on performance quality rather than minute-by-minute activity. Business Insider has interviewed more than two dozen overemployed workers over the past three years.

Several have adapted by using AI tools or negotiating informal remote arrangements after return-to-office mandates were announced. George started a second remote IT job in 2022 and continues to hold both positions after no return-to-office mandate occurred. He uses AI tools including Claude and Copilot constantly to work more efficiently.

Reed lost four jobs in three years and began juggling multiple roles as a job-security strategy in 2024. One of Reed's employers has increased oversight of employee activity, but Reed has not heard concerns from managers. Kelly was earning nearly $300,000 across two full-time remote jobs before resigning last fall after being asked to relocate from Arizona to Texas.