JOIN USInfosys shoots off stern missive to staff on moonlighting; no two-timing, it warns
IT major Infosys warned its employees they could face disciplinary action and even lose their jobs if they indulged in “moonlighting” or the practice of working on a second job, or multiple other assignments during or outside normal business hours, typically secretly, according to an internal memo seen by DH.
“Dual employment is not permitted as per the Employee Handbook and the Code of Conduct,” Infosys told employees in the email, adding that this was highlighted in their offer letters as well.
The news came just weeks after rival Wipro’s chairman, Rishad Premji, tweeted his disapproval of the practice and said it was a form of cheating, sparking an intense debate in the Indian IT industry.
Tata Consultancy Services Chief Operating Officer N Ganapathy Subramaniam has termed moonlighting an “ethical issue” while others such as Tech Mahindra’s Chief Executive Officer C P Gurnani said that given a chance, he would make a moonlighting policy for his company.
In an email sent on September 12, Infosys defined moonlighting as a practice of working on multiple assignments during or outside working hours, and discouraged dual employment.
Infosys urged employees to not engage in any form of business activity without its consent.
“The consent may be given subject to any terms and conditions that the company may think fit and may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of the company.”
Infosys did not respond to multiple calls and emails seeking comment on the memo, which said “No Two-Timing” in capital letters.
HR experts have urged bosses to make peace with the fact that moonlighting was here to stay, and make it transparent, with employees giving disclosures and companies coming up with conditions that allow it. However, IT firms are worried if moonlighting could create legal and reputational risks and lead to breaches in client confidentiality.