Aki Ito on LinkedIn: Inside the strange, secretive rise of the 'overemployed' (2024)

Work has changed irrevocably since the pandemic, more deeply than most realize. I have been studying the impact on employee engagement and sense of loyalty for a number of clients, including foresight work with Tax Revenue Agencies trying to figure out how taxation will look like in 10-20 years. The «overemployment» phenomenon is one illustration of what to be an employee means.Inside the strange, secretive rise of the «overemployed» and this quote:‘J1 is the favorite, the one they'll tend to before the others. J2 is the backup, J3 is the backup of the backup, and so on. The trick is to maximize your TC (total compensation) while minimizing your HPW (hours worked per week on each job). If you see inexplicable references to gaming (e.g., "Should I take on a 3rd Minecraft server?") that's just code for an OE job. They know that outsiders — maybe even their bosses — are lurking on the forums, so they try to create the impression they're talking about something innocent, the way a mobster might talk about accepting a "contract" to "do a piece of work."»#HR #humanresources #futureofwork #workculture

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Big tech layoffs and competing with AI. Tech workers are sick of the grind. Some are on the search for low-stress jobs.#tech #ai #jobs #technology #people #work #hr #technology #developers #programming #health #lifehttps://lnkd.in/dB26jitE

An illuminating article, for sure.LinkedIn has been flooded with layoff announcements these days. It is tragic, yes, but I also think we need a bit of perspective amongst the onslaught of dreary posts from many ex-BigTech individuals. Not everyone has the privilege of a severance package. There are so many who give their everything to a contractor role with zero benefits, to the small start-up with a tight budget, or have spent years at a company they love, but isn't a household name like Google, Amazon or Twitter.Sticker bias is a real thing. All those folks from the start-ups, the lesser-known names, will now be competing against a swarm of applicants with more "impressive" backgrounds. Moreover, they will be competing with the added disadvantage of having no additional income or resources to support them (and their families) during this period of uncertainty. Let's be clear on what that means - for many, there is no more pay. No more health benefits. Zilch.This is not to say we should not offer our love and support to those who come from these big-name companies - but simply put, context is important. Those who have departed BigTech are not being left out to sea and forced to fight the same waves. Your old Facebook acquaintance from highschool that was just let go from their contractor role, however? They may very well be drowning. They may have had to pull their children out of daycare due to exhorbitant tuition costs. The conversation of grocery budgets and household expenses may be a nauseating topic amidst the rising cost of living. How many hours of sleep have they lost when compared to the ex-BigTech employee who can still anticipate a paycheck? Whose access to outsourced support such as childcare, housekeeping, etc. has not changed?For some, this may be uncomfortable to consider. But disparity is real. I implore that recruiters take a moment to comb through their slush-pile with intention. Consider the impact that those from different backgrounds can provide. Let's also remember that a society that places such heavy worth on a company name is not something we should embrace. As a collective people, opportunities should be available to all. Reserving opportunities for those we consider to be "elite" applicants only serves to further the wealth divide. It is a mindset that dismisses equal opportunity. Lastly, check-in on your friends and loved ones. There is always hope - but hope is a delicate thing, and can be easily fractured. These shards may be excruciating for some to even consider picking up. Check-in on the underdogs in your life. Offer to buy them a drink, a coffee, give them a long hug, or simply sit and listen, mindfully and present, and validate their pain.I'm a big believer in the goodness of others, the desire to help, and the depth of grace we are capable of showing. I would love to see 2023 remembered as a year where the best of humanity shined.

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The ingenuity of the strategist mentioned in this article is exactly what we need. I think Meta owes her a lot of money. I feel that employment security ought to be a social responsibility of employers to ensure that no harm comes from the severance, up to and including helping the employee find an alternative position within another organization, or a years pay. Ultimately, I believe it is neglectful of our economy for companies to not give notice, and not embrace the impact, and abscond from the social emotional consequences of their actions, i.e. the employee's gap in employment that would inevitably result, loss of medical benefits, and at the rate we are going inevitable homelessness. An employee would literally constantly need to have an alternative job lined up, in order to not suffer.With notice given as soon as possible, it gives people the opportunity to search for other opportunities and gives HR the opportunity to support in the process and lessen the damage caused and to avert protests in the future.I would like to see more social responsibility from those in power. A change in a supportive direction on a social emotional level would create a win-win for both sides.As both employment agreements and insurance policies are subject to contract laws, the responsibility falls on the person in control or power. Inherently, an insurance company has more liability for the way that the contract is understood by the customer and the clarity of information contained therein.Business is meant to be fair and equitable, and that comes from people in positions making healthier decisions within the scope of their roles

Whoop there it is. This is not only limited to tech workers. The creative industry is fraught with companies that take advantage of employee passion for gain. They put an immense burden on creatives to innovate all the while making the employee feel totally dispensible. This stress is not conducive to being creative, growing meaningful relationships or living life. Companies will pay the price as more and more people discard corporate life to build a life for themselves versus stressing over building someone else's castle.

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It’s a dark time for tech workers right now….If you feel that way, you are not alone. More than 300,000 tech workers have been laid off. That is just employees, doesn’t count the contractors that lost their jobs, or venders that have been impacted. I imagine the numbers are higher.#unemployment #unemploymentrate #techcommunity #opentowork #openforwork #laidoff #labormarket #tech #techcareers https://lnkd.in/gFhudtv3

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How would your life look like if you were working remotely, doing two full-time jobs simultaneously? At the same time, making sure that neither of your employers discovered the existence of the other? Apparently there's a whole community of professionals (who describe themselves as 'overemployed') who are doing just this. Some are even doing three jobs simultaneously!Before I even get into the ethical debates, I feel tired and queasy just thinking about this from a practical point of view. Then again, I'm guessing I'm not representative of the demographic here! This article for Business Insider lifts the lid on their strange world. I found it fascinating. Let me know what you think if you get the chance to read it?https://lnkd.in/gf56mqcb

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