Delivery Boy Attacked by Outsiders: Should We Take Legal Action Despite Reputation Concerns?

Hi Arjun, we are in the service sector, and we usually deliver directly to customers. When a delivery was made to a customer's place with the delivery vehicle, the delivery boy encountered abuse from some outsiders for stopping the vehicle there. Our boy tried to apologize and move the vehicle, but the person did not listen and called four others to beat the delivery boy.

In response to this incident, the delivery boy explained the whole situation to the customer, who suggested that legal action could be taken without any issues from their side. The delivery boy also wishes to pursue legal action. However, we are concerned about the potential impact on the company's reputation.

Please advise on how to handle this situation effectively.

Regards, Arjun

Dear Arjun,

The employee went for the delivery as part of his duties. It was not a personal visit. The incident occurred during the course of the duties of the person who made the delivery (not a delivery boy; please use the proper designation while explaining the incident on the public forum). Therefore, you are responsible for whatever happens in the course of his duties.

The appropriate approach would have been to take him to the nearest police station and lodge a complaint against those who caused physical harm to your employee. If there were injury marks on the body, they should have been recorded. If the incident is old and the injury marks have subsided, crucial evidence has been allowed to lapse.

Your concern about tarnishing the image of the company is misplaced. By standing for the rights of the employees, it is not understood how your company's image can be tarnished. Your company's business not only depends but also develops because of the employees. Now, when they are in trouble, your company cannot shrug its shoulders off! If you stand for the employees, the image of the company will be improved in the eyes of the employees. Therefore, if you think that the company's reputation can be built by remaining silent, then this reputation might come at the expense of employee satisfaction. Please note this fact as well.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Before complaining, try to find any CCTV footage available covering the area and then proceed with the complaint. The complaint may be lodged by an individual with the company's assistance. Your support is crucial in this situation as it will enhance trust in your organization, where you are ensuring the protection of your employees by all means.

The employee should be supported in full. This will send a message to the other staff that the company cares. Your company's reputation will improve due to positive acts of support. The incident of beating up will also worry other staff. Therefore, your help reassures other staff and becomes useful for the "delivery boy" as he may not be aware of the law/evidence act, etc.

Legal Action and Company Support in Case of Assault

It's a clear case of an attack and manhandling of a human being by a group of people. Lodge a case against them at the nearby police station and inform your company about the facts that happened through email.

As the attackers are not known to the affected employee, the police will conduct an inquiry and an identification parade. It is advisable to seek moral support from higher-ranking officials in your company.

If we are correct, no exact information has been provided by you. Unless there was provocation, this incident may not have occurred.

Hope the police will provide protection to the employees on duty.