Tech Mahindra is reportedly working on a moonlighting policy, which is set to be finalised soon. Employees of the Company may be allowed to work gig projects as long as their work does not conflict with the interest of the Company, and provided they obtain permission from their managers, in writing.
According to ET, Tech Mahindra’s —which may introduced in November 2022 itself— will allow its employees to take up gig work that lasts for short periods, primarily on weekends. However, the employees cannot take up any work for a rival company or a competitor, and non-compliance with the service agreement will not be tolerated.
A process will be put in place for taking up gig assignments, which will of course require written approval from Tech Mahindra.
The spotlight fell on moonlighting when Swiggy, the food-delivery service allowed its employees to moonlight, that is, take up jobs other than with Swiggy beyond their work hours, with certain conditions.
This was followed by many leaders taking to social media to express zero tolerance of moonlighting.
Wipro and Infosys even admitted to firing employees who were found to be moonlighting. Many companies in the IT space are against dual employment, but they are fine with employees taking up projects in their free time provided they obtain consent from their managers, stay away from rivals and competition and ensure there is no conflict of interest with their original employer.
