Indian Journal of Industrial Relations: Economics & Social Dev.

Jerome Joseph ¹, Srinath Jagannathan ²

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, IN
2 Centre for Labor Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, IN

Abstract

Three representations of worker insecurity emerged from the lived experiences of three workers from the informal/unorganized sector in India. The authors argue that these three representations of worker insecurity from the three narratives captured through this engagement are the drivers around which the unorganized organize themselves as they struggle to eke out livelihoods on the margins of society.

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Jerome Joseph ¹, Srinath Jagannathan ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, IN

Abstract

The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 is an important legislation governing retirement benefits received by workers, and acquires particular significance in the absence of pension and lack of access to adequate social security for a large number of workers. We discuss here case laws pertaining to the Act in the last decade in the light of increasing the upper limit of gratuity payable to Rs. 10 lakhs. Case law pertaining to this important social security benefit suggests three broad areas of concern: inclusion-exclusion dynamics related to access to gratuity rights, the linkage of the denial or grant of payment of gratuity to reward for compliance and punishment for dissent, assertions of managerial prerogatives over the rights of workers in the pursuit of unilateralist dominance over employment relations.

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Srinath Jagannathan ¹, Kaushik Roy ¹

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, IN

Abstract

Trade unions represent employee collectives' voice to otherwise disaggregated employees to check the arbitrary use of managerial power. In the age of globalisation, where state policy, free movement of capital and the spreading footprints of multinational corporations across the world have intersected to create the zeitgeist of liberalisation and deregulation, Indian trade unions are loosing sympathy from numerous quarters. Though unions at the grassischolar_mains are aligned to larger state and national unions, these alignments appear to be only formal in nature and devoid of the ideological richness that they should normally yield. There appear to be great asymmetries in power as well. Through interviews with seven trade union leaders, the authors were able to discern the expression of alienated connectedness characterised by powerlessness, self estrangement, normlessness, socio-cultural isolation and disenchantment.

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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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P. Premalatha ¹, Srinath Jagannathan ²

Affiliations
1 Centre for Human Resource Management and Labor Relations, School of Management and Labor Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai- 400088, IN
2 OB& HRM Area, Indian Institute of Management, Indore 453556., IN

Abstract

This article adopts an assessment center (AC) methodology to understand how the industrial relations (IR) competencies of HR professionals in their early career are evolving. We find that IR competencies are correlated with several other competencies which are essential for professional success. However, IR competencies lag behind the others. It is argued that the erosion of IR competencies embodies a loss of civility in organizations. This loss of civility is closely associated with the proliferation of functionalist and instrumental discourses which severely corrode dialogical possibilities in organizations.

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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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