Moonlighting can impact long term career

Employment in the information technology (IT) sector is highly time-consuming. As the IT professionals have long working hours, they enjoy two-day weekends. They continuously need to learn and upskill to grow and become a leader in the primary organisation over a period of time. If they are working in multiple companies, they will find it tough to give their best to the main job.

If they definitely want to do moonlighting, they must find an organisation which is okay with it. Put it in the contract and take up the employment as a consultant or a gig worker. There are several options available for people based on their preferences on how they want to manage their career, finances and skill sets. But, they should make apt disclosures, take permissions, and do it in the right way.

The term 'moonlighting' may not be mentioned in the papers, but most of the organisations include it in the contract whether the employees can take up any kind of employment outside or not. Some organisations like Infosys are allowing taking up gig works with prior consent of the managers provided it meets certain criteria.

Many times, the IT employees work for the client or end-user. That person also needs to give their nod to moonlighting. Particularly, the clients from the banking and data security segments may not appreciate working for their competitors. In my personal view, it's kind of short-sighted to attempt to work for multiple organisations at a time as it may impact a long term career.

Moonlighting can reflect on the employees' personality development. If they do multiple jobs they may miss acquiring the leadership skills and soft skills, as well as upgrading tech skills too. They may have to forgo being a part of several initiatives, activities, learnings and conversations of the primary organisation.

As IT professionals, what value will they bring to the table beyond project work and how do they groom the team?

- Manisha Saboo, President of Hysea

(As told to N Sharath Chowdary)