Employee Moonlighting

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Employee Moonlighting

🔥 You may have come across one of your colleagues or subordinates working a second job (side job, side hustle) either on weekday evenings or on weekends. For instance, an employee might work the day shift as an Accountant in one firm, whereas over the weekend s/he might be working as an accounting consultant for his/her personal clients. Similarly, another employee working the usual 9 to 5 job might be conducting yoga classes every evening out of a passion for fitness. Such instances resemble Moonlighting, which refers to 'the practice of working at a second or an additional job outside normal business hours.'


There would have been a time employees were engaged in moonlighting when they were underpaid and feared losing their jobs if they asked for an increase. However, with changing times, the outlook towards moonlighting has changed as well. People from different professions and income groups now endeavor to supplement their primary income through moonlighting or side hustles. Moonlighting enables employees to earn extra money, upgrade their skills, pursue a passion, start a business or get enjoyment from the work they do. Here are some of the pros and cons of moonlighting:

Pros of Moonlighting. Advantages

1. It allows employees to fulfill their needs, interests, and passions on a personal level, thus providing them with a sense of satisfaction.
2. Employees often look forward to working on second jobs if they have low feelings of job security from their first main job.
3. Moonlighting enables employees to get additional income. This might relieve the pressure on organizations to increase employees' wages.
4. Sometimes, the skills employees learn on their second job are also applicable to their main job. In this case, it increases the efficiency of employees. For instance, employee running a side business on weekends may learn many entrepreneurial skills that benefit their main job.
5. A second job also means that the employee has a larger network of connections. That could be useful while searching for a new client base or to get help from contacts to solve complicated problems related to their first job.
6. Approving employees to continue a second job helps strengthen trust and transparency between the employee-employer relationship, thus enabling an open organizational culture.

Cons of Moonlighting. Disadvantages

1. If employees spend many hours working on their second jobs, it might result in exhaustion, less productivity, and poor attentiveness on their main job.
2. Sleep deprivation, increase in screen time can result in increased stress and burnout for employees. Consequently, it might have adverse effects on their mental and physical well-being.
3. It might threaten the employee's company if one shares secrets in case they are moonlighting with a competitor or an organization related to the same field.
4. Employees often use company resources such as computers, printers, or other devices to complete their second job duties. This may increase expenses for the respective company.

⇒ What are your thoughts about moonlighting? Is it harmful or welcome? Why?
Sources:
Bruce, S. (2015, June 30) "The pros and cons of allowing moonlighting". HR Daily Advisor.
Lotich, P. (2020, June 29). "4 employer concerns about moonlighting". The Thriving Small Business
The Denver Post (2015, March 6). "Moonlighting: The pros and cons of taking a second job".

		Comments by date▼ Comments by rating Rating
		3 Devendra Vyavaharkar Manager, India
	Employee's Responsibility Towards Their Employer During Moonlighting In today's world, as we try to create new sources of income for supplementing our primary income source (employment), we often look for a side hustle. That could mean working as a freelancer or starting out a side business. This engagement paves the way to new learnings, a chance to gain varied exposure and experience, brings joy and enthusiasm from the daily routine (as we try to follow our interests or passion), and also brings extra income. Employers should allow for their employees for such engagements. This would help to boost employee productivity, build trust, and add value in the form of the new knowledge and experience gained by the employee from their side hustle. However until the 'side hustle' turns into one's 'primary income source', it is the responsibility of the employee to ensure that moonlighting doesn't affect their primary job.

		2 Vaughan Kew Consultant, South Africa
	Let an Employee Create His/her Own Supply & Demand @A Kahnesky: I concur that 'moonlighting' can benefit all parties involved. In the modern work environment, employers seldom concern themselves a great deal about the well-being of the employees, so why should this be any different? Could this compromise the competence of the employee or their quality of work? So could going out in the evenings. Would employees place curfews on their employees then? I doubt that. Likewise, the measure should be the same as it would be if the employees provide tardy workmanship, then the normal disciplinary measures are pursued. So please, please, do not introduce regulatory measures to this end too! Let the innovative rise up and achieve their yearnings.

		2 Tendekai Dzinamarira Manager, Zimbabwe
	Should you Discuss your Side Hustle Business with your Manager? A side job, also informally called a "side hustle" or "side gig", is an extra job that a person takes in addition to their primary job, typically in order to supplement their income. Side jobs may be done out of necessity, when one's income from their main job is insufficient to support them, or simply out of a desire to earn more income, or to do something "different". Working a side job can also, informally, be called moonlighting, usually when it is performed after normal working time. A side job can be a full-time job, part-time contract, or freelance work, and a person can hold more than one side job. (Source: Wikipedia) ❓Is it possible and recommendable to freely discuss your side hustle business (with or without conflict of interest) with your manager or supervisor?

		3 Jaap de Jonge Editor, Netherlands
	Side Job or Extra Earnings: Allowed by your Employer? @Tendekai Dzinamarira: Depending on your country (jurisdiction, legal system), employment contracts or collective labor agreements often state that a "prohibition on ancillary activities" applies. ...