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IT Companies and Employees to Debate What is Ethical Moonlighting

The relationships between remote employees and their companies were a bit strained. There was a cloud of suspicion about whether moonlighting of any type could be termed "ethical". 

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Moonlighting

Contrary to common belief, many IT companies are willing to allow "ethical moonlighting". This is a big change from a time when companies were seen firing moonlighters. The relationships between remote employees and their companies were a bit strained. There was a cloud of suspicion about whether moonlighting of any type could be termed "ethical". This brings up the basic question, "What is ethical moonlighting and what is not?". Rezoomex is organizing a debate at the JW Marriott on May 26 to allow companies and employees to voice their opinions.

In a recent survey, Rezoomex contacted 60 CXOs in the IT industry and asked in a formal survey whether they would condone or encourage certain activities undertaken by their employees outside the company. The outcome was surprising. 71% of the respondents encouraged and 22% condoned employees making an extra buck from creative pursuits like music, photography, or dance. 60% of the respondents encouraged and 15% condoned earning from career-building activities such as conducting training or speaking at a conference. The most surprising result was that 40% of the respondents encouraged employees to build startups. This can be attributed to the fact that many of the respondents were startups at some point in time.

Further to the survey, Rezoomex informally checked with a few industry leaders, who confirmed that most major players would "allow certain types of moonlighting if it is done with the prior approval of the company".

What is Moonlighting

Moonlighting refers to the act of taking on additional employment or engaging in a secondary job in addition to one's primary or full-time job. In other words, it involves working at a second job or pursuing a side gig to supplement one's income or explore other interests.

The term "moonlighting" originated from the idea of working during the nighttime hours, symbolizing the extra work performed after the primary job's regular hours. However, it is now used more broadly to describe any form of additional work, whether it occurs during the day or night.

Moonlighting can take various forms, such as freelancing, consulting, starting a small business, taking on part-time employment, or pursuing a passion project. People often choose to moonlight for several reasons, including financial needs, career advancement, skill development, exploring new interests, or testing the waters before transitioning to a full-time venture.

However, it's important to note that moonlighting might have implications depending on one's employment contract, company policies, or legal regulations. Some employers restrict moonlighting to prevent conflicts of interest, maintain employee focus and productivity, or protect sensitive information. It is advisable to review any contractual agreements, consult with employers or legal professionals, and ensure compliance with relevant policies and laws before engaging in moonlighting activities.

 

Moonlighting