Who Should Pay for Bike Repairs After Storm Damage at Work? Seeking HR Advice

Last week, there was heavy rain, causing one of the trees near the main gate of the company to fall inside the compound wall. The main door was damaged, as well as the two-wheeler parking shed. Seven of our workers' bikes were caught and damaged. Fortunately, no harm came to any individuals. As a result, the workers began to dispute with management, holding them responsible for repairing their bikes.

I need your favorable response regarding the HR aspects.

Dear,

I feel employees are coming to the factory to work and perform their duties as per the schedules. It is the responsibility of the management to provide better amenities like a canteen, parking, creches, reading or games areas, and restrooms. In your case, you should guide those employees to reimburse as advised by Mr. Ravi. If you simply pass the message that "It is not our responsibility," it may lead to negative reactions. Deal with them smoothly.

Regards, Sriroop

Dear Mr. Ravi,

Management has rightly suggested that they are not responsible for the situation. Everyone is aware of this, but it is an industrial relations (IR) issue. The initial step should be to engage with them and attempt to resolve the matter as our primary goal is to ensure the smooth operation of the factory. It is important to note that legal matters are distinct from this, and many IR issues arise from unlawful activities. Therefore, it is essential to assess their bargaining power and determine their level of influence.

Regards,

JS Malik

Hi!

Whoever has a vehicle, the security (in charge) at the gate can insist on a xerox copy of proper RTO papers, driving license, insurance, and PUC check-up details. This is important so that in case of any natural calamity, fire, theft, etc., they can claim for any repair or loss from the insurance. Our assistance in this matter is limited to interacting with the insurance company (if it is a private company) on a goodwill basis, and we are not liable for any loss incurred. Providing a vehicle shed is a welfare activity we offer, and it is not mandatory. The company will not require you to bring the vehicle to the company premises. Therefore, the company is not responsible for any losses caused by natural calamities.

Regards,
S. Bhaskar
9908732667

Dear all,

Being an IR issue, things need to be handled very carefully. Small issues have created major impacts in many companies. We all know that any natural disasters are eligible for insurance claims, so as a first step, we should help employees understand this. To support the employees, the IR manager's responsibilities include arranging all the formalities with the insurance company for claiming, especially when incidents happen inside the factory premises. This approach may motivate our workers.

Please try and confirm with me.

Regards, Kumar

As there is no fault of the company, it should be clarified to the employees through counseling. Additionally, some part of the damage should be compensated by the company to leave a positive impact on the employees' minds.

Hi HR,

Thank you for all your posts. However, the main issue is that most of the damaged parts of the vehicle are made of plastics, making it challenging to claim through insurance. The workers' primary motivation is that the repair should be authorized by management. We come here to work for the profit of the company, as we receive a salary, but the company profits significantly more. The management is responsible, but they argue that it's not feasible to recover the full amount spent in every case. They may assist in obtaining insurance through police certification, but they claim it's difficult to recoup all costs.

The management's stance is that if the vehicle is not repaired, production will continue, but they will not permit company vehicles to leave for product delivery. In this position, what would your course of action be? I apologize for the delayed response; I've been preoccupied with this issue.

Well said by Mr. Ravi, it is not an IR issue but a workers' issue. Management has provided shelter for vehicle parking. On the other hand, we, as HR, should talk to the workers to understand the importance of insurance and encourage them to insure their belongings.