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Key Takeaways Moonlighting isn’t inherently ethical or unethical, and there is no universal answer here. The ethics come down to how you do it.
Whatever you decide, don’t let your performance slip at your primary job. That’s the clearest signal to your manager that something is off.
Moonlighting, or working more than one role, is a contested topic in the tech industry. I recently spoke at a human resources retreat and broached it with leaders in the field. Some thought it was ethically okay or even necessary in the current economy. Others thought it was never acceptable, regardless of the circumstances.
Landing a single tech job is becoming increasingly competitive in the current labor market. If you’re lucky enough to land not just one, but multiple roles, how do you do so ethically? I’m a career coach specializing in the tech industry. I’ve helped clients navigate this exact dilemma. Let’s explore the steps to take to ensure you’re working and living in alignment with your values.
1. Review your employment contract
Regardless of your views on moonlighting, reviewing your employment contract is a smart place to start when considering holding more than one role in the tech industry. Many employees sign a heap of documents when joining a company, only to never reference them again. If you’re thinking about moonlighting, you’ll want to review the promises you made.
Moonlighting policies vary dramatically across companies and are often tied to seniority. It’s common for tech firms to require you to sign an agreement stating you won’t simultaneously work for a competitor. It’s less common at junior levels for them to restrict outside employment entirely. That said, at the executive level, it’s possible that any external employment will require company or board approval or be outright barred.
2. Define your goals
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