Polygamous work is a result of low salaries, boredom and other factors that have led some employees in the public sector to take up additional jobs. This trend is becoming harder to detect as remote working has increased.
Imtiaz, an experienced CEO of a technology start-up in his 30s, has shared his story. He worked in the public sector as an assistant to finance, earning PS16,000. In secret, he took a job with a private company. He spent long hours in Reddit and Excel automating tasks, which led him to decide on a contract.
Imtiaz notes that public sector workers often struggle with pay, which contributes to polygamous work.
The Government’s Crackdown on Fraud
Polygamy is a waste of taxpayer money in the public sector.Thirteen cases have been identified in 2024-25, resulting in a PS113,000 saving.
Barnet Council recovered PS10,000 from an employee who worked two jobs full time at different councils.
The Impact of Public Trust and Productivity
The critics claim that second jobs are a threat to public confidence and efficiency. Alex Burghart, Shadow Chancellor of the United States calls for a better oversight of the civil service.
