Can Employees Demand Disciplinary Notices in Their Local Language? Seeking Legal Insights

Dear Friends,

Please advise me whether all show-cause notices, charge sheets, and punishment orders should be in the local language, or is it okay if we give them in English. Can an employee demand that any orders or chargesheets be given in the local language only? If yes, please let me know under which provision of which Act.

Thanks and Regards,
Pashya

Dear Pashya,

Yes, it is advisable to issue a show cause, charge sheet, or punishment order in the local language.

You can go through the Industrial Disputes Act to get more information on it.

You can also refer to the link mentioned below to check the acts:
https://www.citehr.com/172572-labour-law-v.html

The disciplinary action has been provided in the Industrial Employment Standing Orders Act, wherein it states that the show cause notice/charge sheet or any communication to the worker should be in the local language. However, you can issue these in English. If a worker asks for a translated version of the English order, you must provide the same. Furthermore, in the event that you have to provide such a translation, you can make it in the free local language with a note at the end that states: "The above is a free translation (in the local language) of the original letter dated ............ in English, and for any technical meanings, the English version shall be considered valid."

In the case of clerical staff and other employees, you can issue the communication in English only.