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Moonlighting or side hustles have gained popularity over the past several months due to the rise in
demand for talent. Many have expressed worries about it, including companies like TCS. While some
companies, such as Tech Mahindra, have said they're fine with it, others, such as Wipro, have taken
action and suspended over 300 employees. The topic is important for UPSC Mains General studies 1
and General studies 2.
What is Moonlighting?
Moonlighting is the practice of taking up a second job or multiple other work assignments apart
from one’s full-time job and typically without the primary employer's knowledge.
Is Moonlighting Ethical?
• When it comes to moonlighting, the IT industry is divided. Some people think it's unethical,
while others think it's necessary at the moment.
• If an employee has a non-compete clause and a single employment clause in their contract,
moonlighting might be regarded as cheating.
o If the employment contracts do not contain this clause or offer exceptions, it is not
considered cheating.
• Moonlighting discourages the employees from giving their best to one organisation and thus
affects the efficient functioning of the company.
• It also affects the commitment of the employees towards one company.
• Trade practices and unique working styles of the organisation get passed to their competitors and
thus reduce their earning prospects.
Moonlighting is not defined in any law of the land. But, Section 60 of the Factory Act, restricts the
scope of double employment, iterating that, “No adult worker shall be required or allowed to work in
any factory on any day on which he has already been working in any other factory”.
Way Forward
• First of all, it is important for the organisation to provide adequate salary to the employee so that
they do not moonlight primarily due to income paucity.
• There is a need to frame a law regarding moonlighting at the national level.
• All the stakeholders must be consulted before drawing such a plan keeping in mind the pros and
cons and the interests of all concerned.