Today’s workers are experiencing burnout – big time. And they’re balancing more responsibilities than they can wrap their heads (or arms) around. Welcome to the era of what Glassdoor is calling the “octo-hire” – the overextended, overstressed employee juggling the workload of eight roles with limited time, energy, and resources.
So, what do you do when you accept an offer only to find the company has catfished you into wearing the hats of three or more people? We’ll dive into how to spot an octo-hire, share the experiences of other job seekers, and offer some advice from our Glassdoor Community members.
What is an octo-hire?
In today’s evolving workplace, octo-hires may seem like the “new normal.” After all, mentions of burnout in Glassdoor employee reviews have spiked 32%, hitting their highest levels in nearly a decade. But Community users say they try to avoid these bait-and-switch jobs whenever possible. Many were octo-hires who quickly regretted their decision to accept the roles.
“Ever start a job only to realize half your tasks weren’t even in the job description? When does 'wearing multiple hats' become 'doing three people’s work'?” – Research Assistant
“It can be frustrating to start a job and realize the scope of your responsibilities goes far beyond what was originally outlined in the job description.”
- GMP Quality Analyst 1
"I did it once and said I needed more pay. I was given their word that extra was coming. Yearly eval came and was only given a pittance. I mentioned the verbal agreement, and was basically told that was simply part of the job now. Okay sure, find someone else to do it then. I was at another job in two weeks." - Sales Representative 1
Examples of octo-hires you may spot in the wild
- The executive assistant scheduling travel, fixing the broken coffee machine, and leading the company retreat.
- The graphic designer posting and copywriting for the company’s social media account.
- The marketer writing blog posts and managing crisis communications.
Do any of these make you think “hey, that’s me”? We have some advice from Community users on how to spot these roles during your job search and avoid them. Or, apply if you like a challenge.
How to know if a company’s looking for an octo-hire
An exhaustive list of responsibilities, tasks that seem out of scope, combination job titles — these are a few obvious clues to help you determine if a company is hiring someone to literally do it all. But there’s always a chance you could find yourself unexpectedly wearing all the hats. Glassdoor Community members shared their biggest red flags:
- Look for terms like “wearing multiple hats” or “team player” in the job description
- Opt for bigger companies vs. start-ups
- Make sure the years of experience and other requirements for the role fit the list of responsibilities
- Watch for sudden exits by multiple employees right after you’re hired
What to do if you’re an octo-hire
If you missed the subtle clues in the job description and have found that you are, in fact, an octo-hire, don’t worry. There are a few actions you can take to make your worklife better.
- Try to negotiate a new title and/or a raise. But first, find out if your new responsibilities are permanent and what prompted them.
- Set reasonable expectations up front for your redefined role to help you avoid burnout later.
- Keep a paper trail of any expectations and new assignments you’ve discussed with your manager, plus any changes to your compensation, benefits, or title to build your case.
Dealing with your own octo-hire situation? You're not alone. Join the Worklife bowl for more tips on navigating workplace challenges like this.