Happiest Minds fires employees over moonlighting, Says it is unacceptable

New Delhi: Happiest Minds Technologies has joined the list of IT firms firing employees over moonlighting. The company said a few employees have been fired over the last 6-12 months because moonlighting is unacceptable and it is a violation of a job contract.

The IT firm added that the practice is not very prevalent within the company but did not reveal the exact number of people fired over the issue. Executive Vice Chairman Joseph Anantharaju told PTI: "We have been quite clear with our people that it is something we will not accept. When you sign a contract or employment offer, you are agreeing to work only for that company."

Since Wipro Chairman Rishad Premji took to Twitter to call the issue of moonlighting "cheating", the IT industry has been speaking up about the ethical and security aspects of the practice. In the last few weeks, many IT firms stated that they do not approve of dual employment. "Moonlighting raises risks and questions around security, as well as the commitment of workers in devoting their time and attention to end customers and delivery outcomes," said Happiest Minds.

Anantharaju added that the company has immediately terminated people for working somewhere else even if it is for a few hours because there is no way of ascertaining the details "It is a message you want to drive across the company. We are clear, you can't be moonlighting. If you want to do some voluntary activities in unrelated areas, maybe wish to go teach in a school over the weekend that is different. But for us, you have to have all of your time dedicated to Happiest Minds and working out here."