The Ethics of Moonlighting
Writing for Canada.com, writer Caitlin Crawshaw outlines the ethical dangers of "moonlighting," or taking on a second job in the same field as your day job. Crawshaw interviews Mark Wexler, a professor of business ethics at Simon Fraser University, who notes that while moonlighting can drive extra income, it can also put your career in danger: "Reputation is the big risk. You may increase your income in the short run, and lose it in the long run."
"Moonlighting isn't inherently tricky," says Crawshaw. "After all, if your side project is unrelated to your day job, taking on two jobs may make you tired, but it doesn't pose ethical issues."
But:
Things get thornier when you work for two different employers within the same industry. How your employer feels about you working for clients in your own time may be unclear. And legally speaking, while you may have signed a confidentiality agreement when they hired you, it's unlikely they've got exclusive rights to your work...Wexler says that the best way to protect your career is by being transparent with everyone involved: "Clearly communicate the circumstances of your moonlighting to your employer and client, and be clear about how your time will be divided between your clients."The use of proprietary knowledge and skills also causes ethical and legal problems. It's clear to most people that using company equipment for side gigs isn't appropriate, but you may not know that your knowledge and skills may be considered proprietary as well.
So where's the line? Are Crawshaw and Wexler correct? Is transparency alone the key? Or are there other ethical issues involved with moonlighting itself? And, as a manager, what would you do if you found out one of your people was moonlighting?