Technology major IBM, which employs over a lakh individuals in India, has joined the chorus to term moonlighting an unethical practice.
Moonlighting, the practice of taking up secondary jobs after the regular work hours, has been recently highlighted by several tech companies.
IBM’s managing director for India and South Asia, Sandip Patel said, at the time of joining, the company’s employees sign an agreement saying they will be working only for IBM.
Tech players in India are expressing varied opinions on moonlighting or side hustles, where an employee undertakes some other work for extra income.
Wipro’s Chairman Rishad Premji had termed such behaviour by employees as “cheating.”
“You know Rishad’s position on this, right? I share Rishad’s position,” Patel added.
Infosys also came out against the practice of side hustle and warned its employees of termination if they take up a second job during or post working hours.
The email by Infosys to its staff clearly stated that the firm “strictly discourages dual employment.”
When asked about the company’s hiring plans for India, which holds a key role as a talent base and as a market for the company, Patel said migration of employees to their hometowns during the pandemic has not completely reversed and hence, the IT industry has adopted the hybrid model of working.
Calling tier-2 and tier-3 cities as “emerging clusters”, Patel said the organisation has plans of deepening its presence in the country.
IBM India saw a delivery centre being inaugurated in Mysuru recently and also has offices in Kolkata and the National Capital Region.
