HUMAN COSTS
While double-hatting may close an income gap, it comes at a cost that is not easily measured in pesos. In March, employed individuals worked an average of 40.7 hours per week, according to the Philippines Statistics Authority. Add a second job and there’s little time left for rest or leisure.
Research shows prolonged working hours take a physical and mental toll. A meta-analysis published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that working more than 50 hours per week is linked to fatigue, injury and stress, as well as higher risks of heart disease, depression and anxiety.
The strain is unfolding alongside wider economic pressures that have pushed policymakers to rethink work arrangements. In response to the energy crisis, the Philippines has adopted a four-day work week for government employees to reduce energy and commuting costs.
In theory, fewer commuting days mean lower expenses and more flexibility. But it can also lead to compressed schedules and heavier workloads, leaving even less capacity for side jobs. For double-hatters, the extra day becomes an opportunity to take on additional freelance work.
The policy addresses cost pressures, but not the underlying imbalance between income and the rising cost of staying employed.
