Smaller tech firms open to moonlighting, subject to disclosures

CHENNAI/BENGALURU: Even as top-tier IT services companies fret about moonlighting, mid-tier technology companies and tech startups are having open discussions with employees to inspire confidence among moonlighters to disclose side projects and reset expectations.

Companies like Zoho, Kissflow, and M2P Fintech have had company-wide discussions on moonlighting to clarify that the practice is acceptable as long as the company’s intellectual property is not compromised. They have asked staff to talk to their managers should there be any ambiguity. A few startups TOI spoke to are also working to tweak employment contracts to accommodate needs of employees working on non-competing startup ideas along with holding full-time positions at the company. Others are launching specific programmes to hire and accommodate moonlighters.