When we have not yet successfully overcome the issue of reconciling family and work life, another added problem arises in the midst of this crisis that seems to have no end in labor matters. The increase in VAT, the astronomical figures for gas and electricity bills, the disappearance of extra payments… makes us see ourselves in the need to look for another job that complements the one we already have in order to make ends meet and meet all expenses.
A resource in the face of crisis
Moonlighting is presented to many people as the solution to their economic problems. According to a survey carried out by the human resources company, 53% of Spaniards have combined two jobs at some time in their lives. A situation that does not find differences between men and women but between the different age segments and between communities. Young people between the ages of 25 and 29 are the ones who have been in this situation of multiple employment the most. And by communities, the Cantabrians are at the head of moonlighting with 81%, followed by Navarre with 75%. For their part, Andalusia, Madrid and Catalonia are the communities in which several jobs are least compatible.
These are the current figures, but everything indicates that moonlighting will increase as the months go by, being the only resource we have left in the current economic situation.
Moonlighting, at what price
And while some seek the solution to the crisis in a second job, the number of unemployed grows and it is increasingly difficult to find a job. If it is already difficult to overcome caciquismo and get a job interview, much more difficult is that after passing the interview we find a well-paid job.
The “adjusted salary” that interviewers allude to when we ask about our future salary is nothing more than a business euphemism to let you know that your salary will not go anywhere near to cover your basic needs. But in this situation, it becomes impossible to say no to any offer, however abusive it may be.
Then the search for a second source of income begins until we find ourselves in the situation of feeling lucky to have to work 16 hours a day and manage to stay on our feet, physically and financially.
We give up a lot with moonlighting, mainly quality of life, but it seems like a secondary issue given the pressing need to pay bills and eat every day. Because when we talk about moonlighting, we are not referring to those politicians who combine two or more jobs in Congress and in various institutions. We are referring to those people who double their working hours, who reduce their hours of sleep, who combine their work from Monday to Friday with extra work, sacrificing weekends and, therefore, their rest time.
In the long term, the stress produced by all the time we spend moonlighting will take a toll on us in terms of health, but for now, moonlighting seems the only way out of financial problems.
