India Inc.'s Broad Strokes

THE INDIAN CORPORATE SECTOR HAS SEEN MULTIPLE IMPROVISATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE TO ACCOMMODATE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE NEEDS, AND MORE FROM THE BIG PICTURE STANDPOINT.

- Urvi Shrivastav

THE WORLD HAS flipped a 180 degrees in the last year and a half, with the private sector not missing out on the party. As we have all witnessed at one level or another, the workplace has seen multiple improvisations to accommodate employer and employee needs. This has given rise to multiple trajectories, some of which were not even seen as issues previously.

Corporate Two-timing

In modern parlance, corporate two-timing is referred to as ‘moonlighting’. With job losses a reality and mass layoffs more commonplace now than ever, financial insecurity is compounding manifold. Not wanting to keep all the eggs in one basket, many employees are branching out to alternative sources of income, while holding on to their present job. Presently, there are no clear-cut laws on this model of working, making it easier for employees to escape through or, employers calling the shots. However, it gives the employees a bad name. What starts as a ‘side-hustle’ usually enters an ethically ambiguous territory. It also means data privacy issues for the original employer especially if the second job is in the same industry. On the employee front, he/she might be tempted to pitch the same clients to both the employers. If this trend continues, employee layoff will be high, or employees will be hired only on a contract basis. Predictably, 2022 will also see the rise of freelance and gig economy given the mutual distrust between employee and employer. Many corporates will see the need to provide ethical training to employees, as is already being done in some conglomerates. This will also emerge as a two-way street as employees will look for greater job security and perks from the employers.

Flexible Workspace