Recently I came across a company where managers just force rigid rules and fines to the employees on regular basis, for eg, one is not allowed to answer personal calls or attend/respond to personal messages and if somebody is caught doing that there will be a fine of certain amount of money. Another example is that they recently have taken signatures of all the employees on a notice paper that if somebody takes a leave for a day without any information on its prior day then two days salary will be deducted.
In these kind of organizations,where employees are not supported in any positive manner and there are just so called rules and regulations that are made more strict everyday, can I say that the employee is being harassed there?
Also, I wish to ask if an employer asks an employee to forcefully resign from the organization due to extra leaves taken (that too for some mishappening in the employees's home), is it legal? Can he do that? Does the employee has to sign the resign?

From India, New Delhi
"Harassement", I think would be a to cruel word to use here.
I would rather say "Lack of Business Ethics, Social Responsibilty, Fair rules, Policy and regulation". Many employers resort to these above rules which is a typical "Narrow Minded Managament", to crub issues of high absentism and irritating habits of few employees, at the cost employee who have been honest to their job.
I would suggest you have one-to-one talk with the concerened HR/Management on this policies an make them more employer friendly rather than their "Dictatorship POlicy" attacking directly on the "Basic earning" of employees, which will effect their business in long run.
Wish you all the best
Ukmitra
PS: Forceful resignation is illegical and can be tried in the court of law against the management. Report to nearest "Labor Office Commissioner" and they will initiate the action against company. For any personal grievance, suggest send a legal notice through an advocate.

From Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
Harrasment!!!!! not a suggestive word here. If the company is enforcing such rules and policies the reason is employees itself they have forced the employer to take such strict actions.
I would like to ask you a question that when you were in school we used to follow school rules and regulations without asking why but the discipline imbibed by the school has made us what we are today. So,if the employer is asking you to follow some policies which he made and intimated you prior to your joining then why you are having issues.
And regarding resignation due to extra leaves i suppose he mustn't have intimated the employer if he would have discussed with employer if it was genuine he must have considered.

From India, Bhopal
Dear Shallu,
We cannot call it as harassment. Harassment means to trouble persistently or incessantly.
In your case, I don't believe that your management is implementing a set of rules which is common for all. Any one who breaks the rule will invite trouble. I agree that we cannot manage the employee with iron hands.
But, at the same time, I have seen many employees who feel that breaking the rule is their fundamental right and entitlement. Because of these kind of employees, others colleagues will also get affected.
In my opinion, any hard and fast rule shall have some kind of in-built flexibility. This will be useful to frighten the rule breakers as well as give a comfortable feeling to others.
Regarding forced resignation, what Ukimitra says is legally correct. But if you want to go legally it could spoil your future employment chances sometimes.

From India, Thana
Thank you Ukmitra and Stalin for your opinions and suggestions. I do understand that the rules and regulations are meant for all and not one and due to some insensible employees, some hard working ones are affected badly.
As per Ukmitra's suggestion, my friend has undergone a long discussion with the authorities but that was totally a waste. Those people are not ready to change their mind. Infact, what they did was to intentionally delay his salary giving some weird reasons of company's financial problems although there are some old employees whose salaries were released on due time.
Is there something that can be done other than leaving the company?

From India, New Delhi
Hi Shallu,

This is getting interesting. What I like in your above comments, was your desire to resolve the problem by being there. Kudos ti such attitude; many few have this courage to face the adversities and hardship and try do your best to make a difference. Such an attitude, which will take one to great heights in personal and professional life.

Now, One person cannot make a difference. Though its always one person who would takes the lead; but it must have the momentum and support of many hands. I am not suggesting to form a Union; but have a constructive criticism given to management by calling an unofficial meeting sort of thing. Work with the management to understand what is their fear that they need to have "extreme unfriendly company policies, imposing financial penalties. Have they lost all avenues, that they need to strike down all genuine request with such draconian rules". Its not one meeting, but maybe cluster meeting with Team leads, Project Managers and stake owners. Growth of a company is growth of all concerned. Address each of your issues like personal call, emergency leave, etc etc.

Its a collective efforts to have a smooth and vibrant working environment. Its a two -way process, employees have to be responsible on their part and Management also need to equally accommodate employees with their problems and judge fairly. To have only business and profit minded mentality, will never take such company anywhere and are doomed to "burst out someday".

When we hire an employee, we not only hire him as a person but all his problem and difficulties. Ofcourse, one cannot resolve all employees concern but can be help to hear them and be just and fair.



I hope other expert professionals will also put in their suggestion.

Ukmitra

From Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
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