The Secret Lives of the Overemployed

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Happy Wednesday, Besties!

We start with a story about someone who used company property for their side hustle. Not just a printer, but… a whole warehouse. You can’t make this stuff up.

In today’s episode:

• Intro Story: It’s the type of “side hustle” that’s an intro story on an HR podcast (Aka - go listen!) 

• Cringe Corporate Speak: A term that we learned had its origins in 1800s Irish organized crime. (Which sounds oddly fitting for corporate!)

• Hot Topic – The Secret Life of the Overemployed: More employees are quietly working two (or more) jobs - for all sorts of reasons. We’re breaking down what’s driving it, how HR approached it and how employees can think about boundaries and transparency. Because sometimes “overemployed” isn’t about ambition - it’s about survival.

• Questions & Comments: Based on Jamie’s cough reminding us of “PeePaw,” we talk about what we call grandparents. It’s a full family tree of names we did not see coming.

Discussion Guide (for Your Team or Podcast Club):

• What kind of second jobs are we okay with as an organization (and what creates a real conflict, and why)?

• What’s a fair and balanced way to talk about outside work in a company policy or setting expectations?

• What’s the most memorable grandparent name you’ve heard?

ChatGPT Prompts of the Week

Professional:

• Write a sample communication for HR explaining how to discuss outside employment without sounding punitive or unrealistic.

• Draft talking points for a manager to explain that policy to team members with real examples of what to consider (from making sure team members have opportunity to pursue their interests without creating conflict).

Personal(ish):

• If my professional life had a “side hustle,” what would it be - and why?

See you next week, Besties — may your warehouses stay professional, your candle scents be calming and your grandparent nicknames be HR-approved.

XOXO,
Jamie, Leigh & Ashley

Click here to reach out to us with your questions and comments. We love anonymous intro stories!