Moonlighting And Dual Employment: Misconduct Or A Legitimate Economic Right?

Introduction

The hybrid working arrangements and economic variability, post-pandemic, has raised the culture of moonlighting. Employees take additional tasks and roles as a source of supplement earning, providing financial security and skill development. However, employers, on the other hand, employers take it as a threat to loyalty, productivity, and confidentiality.

Indian jurisprudence on labour, however, stays silent on the legal provisions surrounding moonlighting, which are yet governed by still regulated by employment contracts, judicial interpretations, and standing orders. This raises a serious question: Is moonlighting essentially a misconduct, or does it fall within an employee's legitimate right to livelihood?