Tech CEO Exposes 'Overemployment': Is Working Two Full-Time Jobs Stealing?

The Reality of Overemployment

Working two jobs to make ends meet is a necessity for many, but when it comes to holding two full-time positions while deceiving employers, it raises ethical questions. Davis Bell, the CEO of Canopy, recently made headlines by labeling this practice as outright theft. In a LinkedIn post, he emphasized that juggling multiple full-time jobs without disclosing it is not just unethical—it's stealing.

Caught in the Act

In 2022, Bell uncovered that two newly hired engineers at Canopy were secretly employed at other tech companies, collecting salaries from both jobs. Their attempts to manage both roles led to poor performance and ultimately, their termination. Bell pointed out that this behavior is not just wrong but affects the entire team and the company's success.

Not Just a Side Hustle

While many people engage in side hustles to supplement their income, Bell distinguishes this from overemployment. The engineers at Canopy were earning between $130,000 to $140,000 each, suggesting they sought additional income without fulfilling their job responsibilities. Bell believes that while side jobs can be legitimate, deceitful practices like these are scams.

Warning Signs of Deception

Bell shared several red flags that indicated the engineers were not being truthful:

• Private LinkedIn profiles that omitted Canopy from their work history.
• Skipped company benefits, including health insurance.
• Cameras off during meetings, avoiding face-to-face interactions.
• Slow responses on communication platforms.
• Frequent absences from meetings without clear explanations.

The Bigger Conversation

Bell's comments spark a broader discussion about the ethics of overemployment. Is it just a way for workers to outsmart a system that often exploits them, or is it indeed fraud? While the debate continues, employers are becoming more vigilant, making it increasingly challenging to maintain such deceptive practices.