The future of work

What economic outcomes the official acceptance of moonlighting might have

- PUJA MEHRA

If the CEO of a blue-chip company can sing, should they join a professional band? Or if an RBI governor has a flare for making jokes, should they take up stand-up comedy on the side? These are extreme examples, but they probably should be if it'll make them less uptight, more emotionally fulfilled. Attitudes towards work should change (we aren't talking about hobbies; we're talking about doing two jobs). There can be other reasons to do two jobs, such as improving earnings.

Swiggy has rolled out a new HR policy conferring legitimacy to moonlighting by its employees. Those on its payroll can now moonlight, including in rival businesses, where there could even be the risk of a conflict of interest, as long as they manage to persuade their line bosses that the side work won't affect their productivity at Swiggy. Delivery executives mostly tend to be contracted through vendors and are probably not covered. They may already, therefore, have the option of working more than one gig. Moonlighting, the taking up of work elsewhere, while being in a full-time job is not only frowned upon in India, but it can also get you fired instantly.