More than 50 percent of men work two jobs at some point, Ball State study finds

The professors explored the "long-held notion that moonlighters are more likely to be tired and devoid of energy" since little research has been done on moonlighters' productivity and job performance, even though the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found 7.2 million Americans had two jobs in 2016. 

Their study found moonlighters are just as productive and engaged as people working only one job, but that spending so many hours outside the home can cause family strife.

“In general, it appears that dual jobholders are able to perform as adequately as their single jobholding counterparts,” Webster said. “However, dual jobholders reported higher levels of work-family conflict as compared to single job employees.”

The average American employee works 38.6 hours per week, but those with two jobs clock in 46.8 hours a week, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Webster's research found companies don't need policies to keep their employees from taking on second jobs, since it is not in fact harmful to their work performance.  

“However, given the negative personal effects of holding two jobs — such as higher work-family conflict — organizations may be inclined to enact policies that help dual jobholders strike a healthy balance between work life and home life,” Webster said.

In particular, organizations employing a high rate of dual jobholders may want to develop such policies “and encourage managers to engage in an open dialog regarding the benefits and consequences of holding two jobs.”