Workplace Violations: How Should We Handle Gutkha, Smoking, and Mobile Use?

Penalties and Policies for Workplace Violations

Please share the penalties and policies as per the Factory Act and labor laws if any worker is caught chewing Gutkha, smoking, or using a mobile phone in the workplace during office hours when it is prohibited. What actions should be taken against them?

Thank you.

Dear Member,

It is not mentioned in any labor act to impose penalties for the above acts. Firstly, you can put a prior notice on the notice board to prohibit all the above activities in the factory premises. You can obtain an undertaking from each existing employee and also from new employees at the time of joining to follow company rules. You can prepare an SOP/company policy to prevent the above activities, and strict implementation is required.

When you prohibit mobile phones from being carried inside, you have to provide safe lockers for employees to keep their phones. Strengthen your security checks and collect all prohibited items from employees at the entry point. In the Standing Order, you can add provisions for taking disciplinary action and imposing fines for violations. You can issue warning letters and show cause notices. Due to the above violations, if management receives any remarks (NCs) in business audits, you can create awareness among employees of how it affects the company's business.

Thank you.