Is Moonlighting Good or Bad

Loans to pay, putting children into college, and house mortgage – many people take up a second job alongside their normal 8 to 5 job to pay for the personal needs and family is called moonlighting. Some companies are strict and have stringent policies against moonlighting, while some have no problem as far as their jobs are done during the working hours they are paying for.

It’s normal to want to earn more money to accommodate their lifestyles, but it’s often illegal, unethical and comes at a very high cost of one’s mental health. Those that support moonlighting say it helps employees acquire new skills and expertise, gain knowledge, and better their finance.

But those against it, believe it reduces employee productivity, encourages client poaching, and if the primary employer finds out than dismal of the employee, and give rise to stricter rules and policies that could affect other employees.

Is Moonlighting Legal

Moonlighting may be legal in some countries like India, but illegal in others. It should be noted that Indian law does not explicitly permit or allow moonlighting, but neither is it illegal. And some corporate houses and businesses have special clauses in their employment contracts whereby employees cannot take up other jobs.

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In the United States, its common to see people with more than two jobs. There jobs are mainly shift –based like in fast-food chains or night hours as cleaners. They have more time on their hands for a second and third job.

The ethics of moonlighting or point of view differs from employee to employee or company to company. For freshers in the job market, it may be easy to take up a second job as they have more time and no responsibility like children waiting at home. Mid-level or seniors might find it a bit difficult because of their personal responsibilities.

Moonlighting may seem like a gold duck, but it consumes mental health.