Dual Employment & Moonlighting in India: Is It Legal or Illegal?
Moonlighting — or holding a second job — has become a hot topic in India’s modern workforce. With the rise of remote work, flexible scheduling, and side hustles, dual employment is more common than ever. But what does Indian law actually say about this? And is Moonlighting a risky gamble for both employees and employers? Today, we unpack the legal landscape around dual employment in India and explore how businesses and workers can navigate it wisely. What Is Moonlighting — And Why Is It in the Moonlight News? Let’s start by defining our terms. Moonlighting refers to working a second job (or more) in addition to your primary employment. This could be freelancing, consulting, teaching, or any side gig that you take on outside office hours or on weekends. Because this trend is growing fast — especially in sectors like IT — it often appears in moonlight news stories: think of startups firing employees for second jobs, or companies banning side gigs altogether. But legally, M...