Indian Journal of Industrial Relations: Economics & Social Dev.

Patturaja Selvaraj ¹, Srinath Jagannathan ²

Affiliations
1 Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management Area, Indian Institute of Management Indore., IN
2 Centre for Labor Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, IN

Abstract

This study seeks to explore the work and lives of crematorium workers in an atmosphere of insecurity, low pay, precariousness and diminishing avenues of resistance such as the presence of a strong trade union movement. The retreat of the state in a culture of privatization and deregulation leads to deteriorating employment conditions and diminished avenues for formally accessing justice. These workers were working in a crematorium where many services were being contracted out. All the crematorium workers yearn to be engaged in service of society and demonstrate tremendous dedication. They refuse to surrender the idea of their selves to the diktats of the employer.

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Patturaja Selvaraj ¹, Sumit Kumar Ghosh ¹, Srinath Jagannathan ¹

Affiliations
1 Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management Area, Indian Institute of Management Indore, IN

Abstract

While performance appraisals are considered to be rational systems necessary for human development in organizations, they can have potentially negative consequences. The judgments involved in performance appraisals could be experienced in subjective and partisan ways. Appraisals could be experienced as dirty work and could lead to deviant behaviors inside organizations. Particularly, those who receive good appraisals could develop emotions of contempt towards those who receive poor appraisals and thus better performers may feel justified in engaging in deviant behaviors towards poor performers. Further, it is only the sense of organizational support that may help in attenuating deviant behaviors actuated as a consequence of performance appraisals.

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