We are considering implementing a moonlighting policy to either prevent our employees from holding second jobs, or somehow regulating this. We are noticing that some of our employees are actually using the internet at work to make extra cash. Does anyone have any thoughts on such a policy, or what should be included in it?

Thanks craig for raising the issue on Moonlighting. This is something that I haven't heard much of in the corporate lingo term. Can some one throw light on its meaning, nature and use.

Regards
roger

Dear Craig

It sounds like you're not so much opposed to them having a 2nd job after hours per se--in other words, they aren't coming into work tired and unproductive (because they worked another job the night before). It sounds like the issue is employees selling stuff online etc. while they're supposed to be working for you. That becomes a disciplinary issue related to company property since they're your computers (not to mention that these employees are basically stealing from you when they run a side business during work time). You should distribute (if you haven't already) a policy on web monitoring and that you have the right to monitor their use of company property and set the expectation that you won't allow them to use your comapny property inappropriately. Tell them they can only use breaks and lunches to "surf" the net for example. Then, after you've given adequate warning, you should crack down on offendors who you catch conducting their own business, etc. online.

I think that while you may get some reisistance instituting a policy where you tell employees they need to use your computers for work while on work time, it will be easier to enforce than trying to prohibit people from taking or having a second job. Some people really might need the money--if their second job is not interfering with your business, they might feel justifiably upset.

Colin Max

Roger,

Moonlighting is the practice of performing an additional job (usually on a contractual basis) which is separate from a person's day job.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 7 to 8 million, ie. about 5 percent of all workers work multiple jobs (which is often referred to as moonlighting and dual or multiple jobholding). People work multiple jobs to simply meet living expenses and other's do it  to earn extra money.

Regards

Ruchi