Can HR Observe Workers' Meetings Without Interfering? Insights from the Auto Industry

Can the Management (HR department) participate in the Workers General Body Meeting (on the sidelines) as observers for noting down the discussions without interfering in their proceedings? Is this practice prevailing in Auto Industries?

I am not aware of any practice being followed in any industries. However, your interest in participating in Workers General Body Meetings is not correct unless you are invited. Your proposed action would amount to interfering with workmen's fundamental right to hold a meeting to sort out their problems or grievances. The purpose of holding a meeting is to vent their grievances, either individually or as a group, which cannot be achieved if management personnel are present. Both parties will be embarrassed to discuss any points that management may be involved with directly or indirectly.

Management's Role in Workers' General Body Meetings

What does management have to do with the workers' general body meeting? Management has no right, whether legal or moral, to interfere. However, managements definitely have an interest in knowing what transpired there for their own interests. For this reason, they may have their own people among the worker leaders who brief them after the meeting.

If this is happening in your company, it is like walking on a double-edged sword, which can cause more damage to the peace, tranquility, culture, and harmony.

Warm Regards,

Bharat Gera
HR Consultant
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy-Reasons]

Dear Colleague,

Legally or otherwise, you cannot attend the GB meeting of the workers' union in any non-member capacity. I don't believe it is a practice followed in any industry. If you are curious to know what has transpired in the meeting, there are several secretive avenues available. You need not be physically present to know it.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR Consultant

I hold a different view. As HR Head, I was invited to address the annual meeting of the workers and speak about the voluntary welfare measures we were implementing. However, going there as an observer and noting down the proceedings would be totally uncalled for. There is no need to eavesdrop on what happened in the meeting as there will be too many participants willing to disclose all that happened. Listen to the grapevine; that will also help. Yet, there is a need to keep a tab on what happened as it will give a clue on what is likely to happen, including the potential troublemakers.

Dear Friend,

The management or its representative has no role to play in workers' general body meetings, so attending the meeting does not arise. The workmen working in the HR Department can attend the meeting if they are members.

This meeting is specifically for the member workers of that union. The management representative can only attend the meeting on an invitation from the group or otherwise not.

Thank you.