Swiggy recently implemented a moonlighting policy that permits employees to work on projects outside of their shift schedules. Though this is not a unique concept in the industry, what is surprising is the response that the industry has shown. Since the announcement, the corporate sector has been rife with opposing viewpoints. Learn everything there is to know about moonlighting here.

The startup’s Moonlighting Policy, which permits its employees to work on projects that do not belong to the firm after their individual shift timings, has sparked a controversy regarding whether moonlighting is acceptable or wrong. 

Recent discussions on the issue have opened spaces for ethical dilemmas and contradictions that many employees, as well as employers, find themselves in.

While some see it as a betrayal of one’s employer and raise concerns about data breaches, others see it as a step forward toward employee satisfaction.

What Is “Moonlighting”?

Moonlighting is simply the act of having a second job, or working for extra projects, gigs, or companies, that counts as a secondary source of money outside of one’s working hours.

 It is typically done secretly, at night after the completion of the regular primary job. Moonlighting lets people work on side projects after their shifts are over without getting in the way of their main job.

Swiggy, a huge company that delivers food, just started a policy that lets its employees work on their passion projects outside of work under certain conditions. 

It stated that it believes in its employees and believes they can do well at work while also pursuing other interests. Other companies, like Cred, encourage their staff to pursue side projects.

However, while the radical move has earned approval from many other groups, many employers do not feel the same for their own businesses.

The last two years of work-from-home arrangements during the pandemic have given rise to many moonlighting occurrences among white-collar professionals, where individuals earn extra money from side gigs in addition to their normal employment.

Many employees want to work extra hours, but they must adhere to business standards. While some organizations don’t mind if their staff work elsewhere, many do.

 While new-age companies are increasingly willing to accommodate such practices, established IT organizations remain cautious.

How Have The Thought Leaders Responded?

Companies across the country have responded differently to the policy.

 Wipro Chairman Rishad Premji’s Take on Moonlighting:

He openly called the practice of moonlighting in the computer industry “cheating.” 

Days after Swiggy established its moonlighting policy, Rishad Premji tweeted, “There is a lot of discussion about people moonlighting in the tech industry. This is simply cheating. “

Many technologists disagree with Premji’s assessment. Ex Infosys Director Mohandas Pai said, “Employment is a contract between an employer who pays me for working for them for ‘n’ number of hours a day. During that time, I have to abide by their conditions. Now what I do after that time is my freedom, I can do what I want.”

Others also oppose the views of Rishad openly more than ever. They view moonlighting as a way to supplement their income while simultaneously honing their skills. Furthermore, they do not consider the activity to be cheating. 

Many young professionals believe that they can commit a significant amount of time to the organization. After the shift times, a person is free to pursue anything he or she wishes as a passion project or side gig, and the company should have no input in the matter.

 It’s worth noting that many professionals who moonlight earn more money than they do with their primary job.

According to a Kotak institutional equity survey of 400 people in the IT and ITES fields, the following data was revealed:

• 65% of those polled were looking for part-time jobs or moonlighting while working from home.
• 42% of people said they would think about changing jobs or even quitting if they couldn’t work from home. 

Not only does moonlighting help young professionals improve their talents, but it also helps them develop a strong profile, which may aid them in obtaining their master’s degree.

 Many institutions throughout the world value such side initiatives, and an applicant who excels in challenging undertakings in addition to their regular 9–5 work has an advantage over others.

What About the Legality of Moonlighting?

HR and Law professionals say that “There is no overriding law that says a person can’t have more than one job.”

However, they reiterate that a person in a similar profession may cause confidentiality concerns; many organizations have confidentiality rules in the employment agreement, as well as clauses limiting multiple employments.

An Ethical Analysis Of Moonlighting?

There are differing opinions on whether moonlighting is ethical or not.

Swiggy believes that moonlighting is the way of the future. Girish Menon, the company’s human resources director, agrees that part-time work is the way of the future.

He also claims that employees will declare the gigs they want to work on. According to the company, it is clear which side jobs would hurt their business, their competitors, or their intellectual property.

And if the code of conduct is broken, the disciplinary committee will deal with it.

Others say that employees are needed and expected to devote their full working time, effort, and energy to the employer’s interests.

Employees who moonlight can lose their jobs.

Legal experts say that courts have often given the go-ahead to businesses to fire employees who work extra jobs on the side.

The Factories Act prohibits dual employment. However, in other states, this regulation does not apply to IT firms.

While different firms have varied positions and regulations on moonlighting, the practice may become a problem for employers in specific instances. It should not be neglected when moonlighting transitions to daylight.

Furthermore, the employee’s side hustle must not represent a risk of leaking secret information from the primary work. Also, the side job must be legal and shouldn’t get in the way of the employee’s work.

Way Forward For The Employees.

While some companies entirely welcome moonlighting, others strongly oppose it.

In such a circumstance, it becomes a must for an employee to always check her/his work contract with the principal employer to ensure compliance with moonlighting before engaging in any side hustle. Failure to do so may lead to problems in the future.

Moonlighting has also led to some people losing their main jobs or getting in trouble with the law.

One should be cautious while coming into contact with the employer if they clearly do not give a green pass to moonlighting if you feel that you have moonlighting tendencies.