DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Concept and Nature of Discipline

Discipline may be defined as a force that prompts individuals or groups to observe the rules, regulations and procedures which are deemed to be necessary for the effective functioning of an organization. According to Ordway ted, Discipline is the orderly conduct of affairs by the members of an organization, who adhere harmoniously in forwarding towards the end which the group has in view, and willingly recognize that.

 Discipline in industry may be described as willing cooperation and observance of the rules and regulations of the organization by the management and the workers. It means securing consistent behavior in accordance with the accepted norms of behavior.

Principles of industrial discipline

The basic prerequisites of discipline in industrial organizations are as follows : 1. The goals or objectives of industrial discipline should be clearly stated. The goals must, in clear and unambiguous terms, specify the standards expected of the workmen, supervisors and managers.

2. Specific and clear rules and regulations should be laid down in consultation with the workers. Such rules and regulations should serve as a code of conduct for the workers and managers.

3. The code of conduct or the rules and regulations should be communicated to all in the organization and must be understood, in the same terms, by those who enforce the rules and those who have to obey such rules. Whenever a new employee joins the organization, he must be made to understood the rules and regulations so that he may produce acceptable behavior.

4. The rules of conduct must contain provision for investigation and settlement of grievances arising out of and during the course of employment. 5. The discipline policy should lay greater emphasis on the prevention of the breach of discipline than on the administration of penalties. The approach to discipline should be positive and constructive.

6. The management should ensure that their own conduct and policies do not encourage breach of discipline. This will promote selfdiscipline among workers. 7. The enforcement authority must be specified. The procedure for appeal against the disciplinary action by the aggrieved party should also be provided.

8. The quantum of prescribed punishment in specified cases of indiscipline should be known. 9. All rules and regulations should be executed objectively and consistently. They should be appraised regularly to keep them suitable and up-to-date.

10.Disciplinary action should not be vindictive or should not be used to victimize employees but to prevent recurrence of indiscipline in future. The discipline policy should seek to prevent the breach of discipline rather than to administer penalties. Penalties should be used only when they become absolutely necessary.

11.There should be a suitable grievance procedure for the prompt redressal of all grievances of employees. All awards and agreements should be implemented without delay and discrimination. 12.A discipline committee may be constituted to look into the causes of indiscipline in the enterprise and to suggest suitable measures for their removal.

Code of Discipline
In India, the problem of industrial discipline was debated by the Indian Labor Conference held in 1957. The Conference noted the alarming record of breach of discipline by employers and employees. A sub-committee was appointed to draft a model Code of Discipline which would be acceptable to all.

 A code of Discipline drafted by the subcommittee was duly ractified by the central organizations of workers and employers at the 16th session of the Indias Labor Conference in March 1958 and it became operative from 1st June, 1958. The code is based on the following principles :

1. There should be no strike or lockout without proper notice. 2. No unilateral action should be taken in connection with any industrial matter. 3. There should be no recourse to go slow tactics. 4. No deliberate damage should be caused to plant or property.

5. Acts of violence, intimidation, coercion or instigation should not be resorted to. 6. The existing machinery for settlement of disputes should be utilized. 7. Awards and agreements should be speedily implemented. 8. Any action which disturbs cordial industrial relations should be avoided.

Objectives of the Code

The code of Discipline is intended to achieve the following objectives : I. Maintaining peace and order in industry. II. Prompting constructive criticism at all levels of management and employees. III. Avoiding work stoppages in industry. IV. Securing the settlement of disputes and grievances by a mutually agreed procedure and avoiding litigations.

V. Facilitating a free growth of trade unions. VI. Bringing home to the employees and management the importance of their recognition of one anothers rights and responsibilities. VII.Eliminating all forms of coercion, intimidation and violation of rules, regulations and procedures governing industrial relations.

Features of the Code

1. It prohibits strikes and lock-outs without prior notice and also intimidation, victimization and the adoption of go slow tactics by workers. 2. No one-sided (unilateral) action can be taken by either party in any industrial relation matter.

3. All disputes are to be settled through the existing machinery provided for this purpose by the Government. 4. The employers will not increase work-load without prior agreement with the workers. 5. A common grievance procedure for the settlement of grievances of the workers after full investigation has been provided for.

6. The employers will provide all facilities for the unfettered growth of trade unions. 7. Prompt action will be taken against those officers whose conduct provokes indiscipline among the workers. 8. The workers will not indulge in any trade union activity during the working hours. They will not engage in any demonstration or activity which is not peaceful.

9. The workers will implement their part of the awards and settlements promptly and will take action against those office-bearers of the union who have violated the code. 10.The unions will discourage negligence of duty, careless operation, damage to property, insubordination and disturbance in normal productive activities. They will discourage unfair labor practices and will not engage in rowdy demonstrations.

Contents of the code