How Should Management Handle a Labor Conflict That Halts Production?

Hi seniors, I would like to know the procedure when a group of company and contractual laborers engage in a conflict with the senior manager, resulting in the company's production being halted. The management has issued a notice to the District DM, SP, ALC, etc., for further action. If you need more clarity on the situation, please let me know.

Dear Upendra Tiwari,

Workplace fights are common, but the situation becomes dire if a physical altercation occurs, involving blows or kicks exchanged between members of opposing sides. This fight has resulted in the closure of production.

These issues do not arise overnight. It seems that the trouble had been brewing for a long time, but the top authorities merely put a lid on the boiling pot. Eventually, a day came when the lid was off.

The matter has been reported to the local police. From your side, the concerned authorities may order a domestic inquiry. The inquiry officer should investigate the incident without presuming who should be blamed. The focus should be on finding the root cause and addressing it.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Thank you, sir. Yes, I have informed the local police and filed an FIR. Everybody is troubled by this situation. The company management has laid off the company laborers who were involved in this incident, with the help of CCTV footage. We have also provided evidence to the police. Termination letters have been sent to all contractors whose laborers were involved. Letters have also been sent to the security contractor.

Additional Precautions Needed from HR

What additional precautions are needed from the HR side? Please advise. This is the first time I have encountered such a case.

Dear Upendra Tiwari,

Layoffs and retrenchment are delicate issues. They represent a loss of livelihood for the affected workers. Therefore, these matters require handling with utmost sensitivity. Simply citing the rulebook and asserting management's correctness is inadequate. I believe your management lacked empathy in the way they handled the layoffs, leading to backlash from the workers. Consequently, this has resulted in decreased production and tarnished the company's reputation.

As mentioned in my previous communication, I recommend that the management conduct a domestic inquiry. While the local police may be involved in the investigation, their inquiry and the internal investigation initiated by the company are distinct processes. It remains to be seen whether your management will learn from this experience or continue to disregard the situation.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Hi, as our HR fraternity rightly said, it did not blow overnight. The major failure is from the HR side as they have not developed a good rapport with the workmen on the shop floor. If they had made frequent shop floor visits and conducted one-on-one meetings every day, it could have prevented reaching this stage.

Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that the contract workers should be replaced immediately by the contractor. Failure to do so will result in a review of the concerned contractor's replacement.