New Employee Faces Political Pressure and Forced Resignation: How Should HR Respond?

Dear Seniors,

A new joiner has lodged a written complaint with HR about the political environment in his working area. Additionally, he is being instructed by his manager to submit a resignation on a blank sheet of paper. Should we address this situation in accordance with the Internal Grievance policy? Furthermore, could you please provide different viewpoints on this matter?

Regards,
Learner & Contributor

Dear Meenu Sachdeva,

Just because someone has joined the company recently does not reduce his/her stature. Conversely, just because someone has joined the company earlier does not enhance his/her stature.

Please investigate the matter as per the "Policy on Employee Grievances." The investigator should focus on the incident rather than on the person(s) involved.

If the newcomer complained about the political environment in the department, then why did the company administration wait until a recently joined employee made a formal complaint? Why were the undercurrents of the political environment not detected earlier? Is a newly joined employee a victim of groupism? Why has the manager asked to submit a letter of resignation on blank paper? Who has authorized him/her to do this?

Types of Conflicts

There are three types of conflicts: process conflict, task conflict, and relationship conflict. If the former two continue for a long time, these escalate into a relationship conflict. The investigator needs to identify the root cause of the conflict.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Irrespective of whether an employee is new or old, they need to be heard. The matter needs to be investigated with the intent of finding the root cause of such occurrences. Managers should definitely not ask employees to resign in writing unless that is the system followed in the organization.