How Should HR Handle a Workplace Tragedy Like a Murder on Company Premises?

Dear all, I am working in the hotel industry as HR. On 3rd July, there was a murder on the premises due to internal clashes between two employees. One was admitted to the hospital, but unfortunately, he was No More, and the other employee is in police custody. As HR, I have informed the police about the murder on the premises and also notified their family members. All the police formalities have been completed with my presence.

Now, what I want to know is, this is a newly established hotel and I have applied for PF and ESI registration. Beyond this, what should I do for further safety? How can I solve this critical problem? Kindly advise me, sirs...

Regards,
Murali

Dear Murali,

My sympathies to the deceased employee. As an HR professional, I can understand the pain you are going through because of this incident. Police inquiries, visits, etc., on one side and the insecure/frightened employees on the other side. I am not sure about your management, i.e., whether they are supporting you or accusing you of allowing this incident to happen.

Even though I have not faced such a scenario in my HR career so far, based on experience, I am giving a few inputs. Please analyze and, if suitable, consider:

- Since the case has become a police case, let them handle it and give the required help to the police.

- You need to take action against the person in police custody.

- If you have any written employee rules/code of conduct that have been communicated to all employees, you can initiate necessary action based on the applicable rules.

- Since it has become a police case, take the advice of your legal consultant on whether you can suspend the employee who is in police custody. If you suspend him now and the court doesn't convict him, he will likely sue the company for the wrong decision.

- Immediately convene a staff meeting and make it clear that indiscipline will not be tolerated at any cost. Highlight the rules and regulations applicable to indiscipline. If you don't have one, please draft one and implement it on a priority basis. This will empower the management to take action even if minor indiscipline occurs.

- Assign a few trusted staff members to gather information from the staff about mutual rivalries/disputes, so that you can take proactive steps to address such issues.

- Finally, as an HR professional, please take care of your safety as well. I don't want to scare you by giving real-life examples where HR professionals were targeted.

Have a strong mental will to overcome this scenario. If you believe in God, please pray and seek blessings. I do it whenever I am in a tough situation, and you won't believe I often find solutions to the problems I am facing.

Wishing you good luck.

Regards,
Bhavan

Hi, Mr. Murali,

I wish you will soon come out of this tragic episode that took place in your company. Pray to God for the deceased employee; may his soul rest in peace.

Good wishes!

Regards,
Maninder Kaur

Incidents take place at various places; still, when they occur at work, you should be careful in the future. There is no solution to mentality; the only thing you can do is create awareness among them about the aftereffects of such mishaps. Stay calm even if there is a lot of chaos. The two individuals have already done their jobs. Take life as it comes and never let go. Learning is a continual process; keep such experiences on record as they will help you study human behavior in various situations. Rest assured that God is there to heal over time.

All the best and take care,

Regards,
Uddhav

In post #2, 'Bhavan' has given practical tips. Follow them. I would only add two other points.

1. Get the social security schemes like EPF and ESI implemented immediately. That will give the remaining staff some sort of feeling of economic safety.

2. Tighten the security measures such as frisking the staff at the entrance and exit thoroughly to avoid the entry of deadly weapons inside the premises. Ask the security guards to be on the alert and take rounds regularly to nip in the bud any skirmishes among employees.

You have asked, "How can I solve the critical problem?" What 'critical' problem are you talking about? Can you be more specific?

In fact, this is not a big issue; it is not the very first case in any hotel. There is no concern with your applications for PF, ESI, etc., but remember when you lodge an FIR on behalf of the company, you are the applicant personally and a key witness for the petitioner's side. You should never disconnect yourself until the final decision of the case, whether you are working with that company or not. It is also important that you have to face the case as the applicant of the FIR, and you will be prosecuted in case of any false claims under Section 182 of the CrPC.

For any help, you can contact me at [Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons].

Regards,
Manukant Sharma
Advocate & Corpo-Legal Consultant

Please dismiss the other one who is admitted in the hospital. In the future, please allow employees only after a complete background verification of their past history because a person who is about to commit murder is not from a good family background. Please be strict in your policies, i.e., code of conduct. If there is any quarrel between persons, just dismiss them or warn them strictly. This is how we have to work; otherwise, the headache is ours. Please be clear about the code of conduct and disciplinary action. Now, if possible, conduct an internal inquiry and suspend the other person for a while. Settle him with some amount if required.

Thanks & Regards,
Sridharan.K

Respected Seniors,

Can a preventive step be taken in such situations? I am talking about training employees with respect to SQ - the spiritual aspect of employees' skills. That can help restrict such incidents.

Regards

You have received very good suggestions. Please bear in mind, as HR, you need to extend your concerns to the bereaved family of the employee who passed away by offering whatever possible support your organization could or should provide. Additionally, emotionally support other staff who were witnesses to this incident and others affected. If you have access to a counselor, you can seek his or her assistance as well.

Warm regards,

Rajrm

Thank you, Mr. borntosin. You are absolutely right, 200%. I have sought help from the local police, and I have managed to escape from the problem. Could you please inform me about the potential issues that may arise from the labor office and advise me on the type of reports I need to submit to the relevant office.

Dear Murali,
This kind of problem can be resolved based on our self-confidence. Be positive and gather information from others. Be confident that nothing will occur, and remember that "impossible" means "I'm possible." Don't fear any threats. Immediately update the ESI and PF registration with prior approval and acknowledgment.

Regards,
Balaji K

Great and quiet practical points, Mr. Bhavan. Mr. Murali, you can also involve the owner of the hotel in finding a strategy to address this situation. My condolences to the family of the deceased employee from your hotel.