Overemployed (i.e., people with multiple W2 knowledge jobs) don’t break the law. In most cases, it’s totally legal to have multiple W2 jobs. Here are the reasons why:
- In the USA 🇺🇸, there’s no federal nor state law that would prohibit being employed by two or more companies on a full-time W2 basis.
- A lot of people already have multiple W2 jobs out of necessity, especially those in the blue-collar service type of industries such as pizza delivery, restaurant waiter, bartender, cleaning people, fast food workers, parking valets, security guards, movers, deliverers and so on.
- IRS will only get more taxes from someone working multiple jobs. They are in no position to disclose to your employers about your jobs.
- Most jobs don’t have an employment contract and only have a job offer. The most common “at-will” employment job offers are not legally binding agreements and not treated as employment contacts. Even in those job offers, most employers don’t explicitly prohibit being employed by another firm unless there are issues with intellectual property or competition.
- The USA is a capitalist society and country🗽. It’s the land of free. If you work hard and smart, then you should be able to get ahead. If you have the energy to work 2+ jobs—go for it. Pursuit of happiness is written in the constitution after all!
So read your job offer and employers handbook carefully. Avoid unethical and dubious behavior such as working for a competitors. Know that if something is ethical and is not prohibited in a legally binding contract or government law, then it’s probably legal. Most likely, you’ll be just fine from a legal perspective working two or three full-time W2 knowledge jobs at the same time.