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Both, the employer and the employee were given the right to perform their duty. Wherein, the employers were required to discharge their obligations towards their employees and the employees were required to discharge their duty towards the employers. This Dharmic ideal endeavoured to establish a duty-based society. Its postulate was not only the duty of the individual towards the society but also the duty of the society towards the individuals through political, commercial and other organisations. The ancient thinkers of Bharata had clearly identified the mark of distinction in the approach to life in this land of Bharat and have recorded it in Vishnu Purana.   

Both, the employer and the employee were given the right to perform their duty. Wherein, the employers were required to discharge their obligations towards their employees and the employees were required to discharge their duty towards the employers. This Dharmic ideal endeavoured to establish a duty-based society. Its postulate was not only the duty of the individual towards the society but also the duty of the society towards the individuals through political, commercial and other organisations. The ancient thinkers of Bharata had clearly identified the mark of distinction in the approach to life in this land of Bharat and have recorded it in Vishnu Purana.   

The stress was on the duty of an individual towards others (selflessness) and not on the right to fulfill selfish desires. This is also evident from the time-honoured statement in the Bhagavad Gita which declared, <blockquote>कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते | ''karmaṇyevādhikāraste |'' </blockquote>Meaning: Your right is to perform your duty.

The stress was on the duty of an individual towards others (selflessness) and not on the right to fulfill selfish desires. This is also evident from the time-honoured statement in the Bhagavad Gita which declared, <blockquote>कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते |<ref>Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 2].</ref> ''karmaṇyevādhikāraste |'' </blockquote>Meaning: Your right is to perform your duty.

Every individual was asked to be Dharma-abiding and discharge one's duty towards the society so that all would live happily. The duty of the State as laid down in Raja dharma was to ensure that everyone conforms to Dharma.

Every individual was asked to be Dharma-abiding and discharge one's duty towards the society so that all would live happily. The duty of the State as laid down in Raja dharma was to ensure that everyone conforms to Dharma.

The rules of Dharma prescribed that the conduct of employers should be such as would secure justice and happiness to the employees and the conduct of the employees should be such as would not cause any hardship or injustice to the employers. Thus, the principle of class co-operation was adopted in preference to class conflict.   

The rules of Dharma prescribed that the conduct of employers should be such as would secure justice and happiness to the employees and the conduct of the employees should be such as would not cause any hardship or injustice to the employers. Thus, the principle of class co-operation was adopted in preference to class conflict.   

== Nine basic aspects of Dharma ==

== धर्माधारितः व्यवसायः ॥ Dharma Based Employment ==

All these rules which regulated the conduct of employers and employees flowed from the basic rules of Dharma, the observance of which was regarded as essential for the sustenance and welfare of the individual and the society. Basic rules of Dharma were declared in various works on Dharma Shastra and Smritis. The Shanti Parva (60- 7 -8) in Mahabharatha has indicated nine basic aspects of Dharma :<blockquote>अक्रोध: सत्यवचनं संविभाग: क्षमा तथा | प्रजन: स्वेषु दारेषु शौचमद्रोह एव च || आर्जवं भृत्यभरणं नवैते सार्ववर्णिका: |</blockquote><blockquote>''akrodha: satyavacanaṁ saṁvibhāga: kṣamā tathā | prajana: sveṣu dāreṣu śaucamadroha eva ca || ārjavaṁ bhr̥tyabharaṇaṁ navaite sārvavarṇikā: |''</blockquote>

The rules that regulated the conduct of employers and employees flowed from the basic rules of Dharma, the observance of which was regarded as essential for the sustenance and welfare of the individual and the society. These basic rules of Dharma were declared in various works on Dharma Shastra and Smrtis. The Shanti Parva in the Mahabharata has indicated nine basic aspects of Dharma. It says, <blockquote>अक्रोधः सत्यवचनं संविभागः क्षमा तथा । प्रजनं स्वेषु दारेषु शौचमद्रोह एव च || आर्जवं भृत्यभरणं त एते सार्ववर्णिकाः।<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-059 Adhyaya 59].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''akrodhaḥ satyavacanaṁ saṁvibhāgaḥ kṣamā tathā। prajanaṁ sveṣu dāreṣu śaucamadroha eva ca || ārjavaṁ bhr̥tyabharaṇaṁ ta ete sārvavarṇikāḥ।''</blockquote>Meaning: The nine rules of Dharma to be followed by persons belonging to all sections of society are

# Akrodha - "Being free from anger,

# अक्रोध: | ''akrodhaḥ'' - Being free from anger

# Samvibhaga - sharing one's wealth with others,

# सत्यवचनम् | ''satyavacanam -'' Truthfulness

# Kshama - Forgiveness,

# संविभागः | ''saṁvibhāgaśca'' - Sharing one's wealth with others

# Satyavachana - Truthfulness,

# क्षमा | ''kṣamā -'' Forgiveness

# Prajana - Procreation of children from ones wife alone,

# प्रजनम् | ''prajanam -'' Procreation of children from ones wife alone

# Shaucha- purity (in mind, though and deed),

# शौचम् | ''śaucam'' - Purity (in thought, word and deed)

# Adroha - Not betraying the trust or confidence reposed,

# अद्रोहः | ''adrohaḥ -'' Not betraying the trust or confidence reposed

# Arjava - absence of enmity,

# आर्जवम् | ''ārjavam -'' Absence of enmity

# Bhrtyabharana - Maintaining the persons dependent on oneself'''. '''

# भृत्यभरणम् | ''bhr̥tyabharaṇam'' - Maintaining the persons dependent on oneself

These nine rules of Dharma to be followed by persons belonging to all sections of society". Of these, five are relevant in the context of the employer-employee relationship. They are Samvibhaga, Akrodha, Kshama, Shaucha and Adroha.·        

Five of these, namely, Samvibhaga, Akrodha, Kshama, Shaucha and Adroha are extremely relevant in the context of the employer-employee relationship. They are enumerated in brief as follows.      

== Samvibhaga ==

=== Samvibhaga ===

The principle of" Samvibhagaha", requires that the employers must share the profit arising out of running any industry or business with the employees. It means that as an employer runs his business, trade or industry only with the help of the employees, they should be given a reasonable share in the profit earned. If the principle of 'Samvibhagaha' remains uppermost in the mind of the employers and in the light of this principle they regulate their own life style and appropriate only a reasonable portion of the profit for themselves and distribute the profit among the employees, the relationship between the two would be cordial, and it would also promote a sense of gratitude among the employees towards the employers, which in turn increases the output of work both in quality and quantity. It is a matter of common knowledge that only when the employees see that the employers are indulging in extravagant and wasteful expenditure, while denying a reasonable share of profit to the employees, the industrial unrest begins. Even today, we see that in certain industries or business or trade, where employers look after their employees as their own children with love and affection and give a reasonable share in the profit to them, not only is the relationship between the two cordial but also the efficiency of the workers increases and they work as missionaries and not as mercenaries. Therefore, the principle of Samvibhaga constituted the fundamental Dharma to be observed by the employers towards their employees.

The principle of" Samvibhagaha", requires that the employers must share the profit arising out of running any industry or business with the employees. It means that as an employer runs his business, trade or industry only with the help of the employees, they should be given a reasonable share in the profit earned. If the principle of 'Samvibhagaha' remains uppermost in the mind of the employers and in the light of this principle they regulate their own life style and appropriate only a reasonable portion of the profit for themselves and distribute the profit among the employees, the relationship between the two would be cordial, and it would also promote a sense of gratitude among the employees towards the employers, which in turn increases the output of work both in quality and quantity. It is a matter of common knowledge that only when the employees see that the employers are indulging in extravagant and wasteful expenditure, while denying a reasonable share of profit to the employees, the industrial unrest begins. Even today, we see that in certain industries or business or trade, where employers look after their employees as their own children with love and affection and give a reasonable share in the profit to them, not only is the relationship between the two cordial but also the efficiency of the workers increases and they work as missionaries and not as mercenaries. Therefore, the principle of Samvibhaga constituted the fundamental Dharma to be observed by the employers towards their employees.

== Akrodha ==

=== Akrodha ===

Akrodhaha means to be free from anger. On many occasions on account of anger, human beings commit atrocities on others, which might result in irreparable loss and injury, causing misery not only to the victims but also to the perpetrator of wrong acts. This general rule also regulated the relationship of employers and employees. There are many instances in which anger exhibited frequently without justification and disproportionate to the situation by the employers against the employees strain their relationship. The employees feel humiliated and as a result they are unwilling to do their work with devotion. This is also one of the causes of industrial unrest. This principle of Akrodhaha warns employers against uncontrolled anger and therefore requires that even when an employee commits mistake, the employer's anger should not cross reasonable limits. This guideline equally applies to employees.

Akrodhaha means to be free from anger. On many occasions on account of anger, human beings commit atrocities on others, which might result in irreparable loss and injury, causing misery not only to the victims but also to the perpetrator of wrong acts. This general rule also regulated the relationship of employers and employees. There are many instances in which anger exhibited frequently without justification and disproportionate to the situation by the employers against the employees strain their relationship. The employees feel humiliated and as a result they are unwilling to do their work with devotion. This is also one of the causes of industrial unrest. This principle of Akrodhaha warns employers against uncontrolled anger and therefore requires that even when an employee commits mistake, the employer's anger should not cross reasonable limits. This guideline equally applies to employees.

== Kshama ==

=== Kshama ===

Forgiveness is also important. Being human, employees are bound to err, or even be guilty of misconduct. It is essential for the employer to excuse the employees for bonafide errors or mistakes and to impose only just punishment, when they have acted unjustly. The quantum of penalty must be in proportion to the gravity of the misconduct and should not be harsh. It is only in cases in which the misconduct is grave that the maximum or highest penalty is justified; only then should such penalty be imposed.

Forgiveness is also important. Being human, employees are bound to err, or even be guilty of misconduct. It is essential for the employer to excuse the employees for bonafide errors or mistakes and to impose only just punishment, when they have acted unjustly. The quantum of penalty must be in proportion to the gravity of the misconduct and should not be harsh. It is only in cases in which the misconduct is grave that the maximum or highest penalty is justified; only then should such penalty be imposed.

== Shaucha ==

=== Shaucha ===

Transperancy -This means whether a person is an employer/manager or employee, he should be honest and straight-forward. It is also called "'''trikarana shuddhi'''", namely: cleanliness in thought, word arid deed. This principle is also of considerable importance because thinking one thing, speaking differently and doing something else, by anyone destroys the confidence in him and affects his reliability. Therefore, such a conduct was tabooed. It is indisputable that the following of this rule of Dharma both by the employers and the employees is most conducive to the smooth running of any department of Government, trade, business or industry and for cordial relationship between employers and employees.

Transperancy -This means whether a person is an employer/manager or employee, he should be honest and straight-forward. It is also called "'''trikarana shuddhi'''", namely: cleanliness in thought, word arid deed. This principle is also of considerable importance because thinking one thing, speaking differently and doing something else, by anyone destroys the confidence in him and affects his reliability. Therefore, such a conduct was tabooed. It is indisputable that the following of this rule of Dharma both by the employers and the employees is most conducive to the smooth running of any department of Government, trade, business or industry and for cordial relationship between employers and employees.

== Adroha ==

=== Adroha ===

Not betraying the confidence or trust reposed in on self. This principle required that an employee should not betray the confidence or trust reposed in him by the employer. He should not indulge in theft, cheating or misappropriation, or go slow in working etc., and thereby cause loss or injury to the employer.

Not betraying the confidence or trust reposed in on self. This principle required that an employee should not betray the confidence or trust reposed in him by the employer. He should not indulge in theft, cheating or misappropriation, or go slow in working etc., and thereby cause loss or injury to the employer.

The sense of gratitude which had been regarded as one of the basic rule of "Dharma", was applicable with greater force to the employers and employees. This meant that an employee should have to be grateful to the employer who provided him an employment, with the aid of which the employee not only learnt the job from the employer and acquired expertise, but also earned income. Similarly, an employer was required to have a sense of gratitude towards his employees, who toiled for him. Thus mutual co-operation with a sense of gratitude towards each other was made part of "Dharma" which is of eternal value for the success of any business, trade, industry or undertaking. In the absence of such attitude, both become utterly selfish. The employer would attempt to exploit the employees and the employees instead of being industrious, think of only demanding more wages and prerequisite without any concern for the interest of the employer or the trade, business or industry in which they are employed. Nowadays, it is a matter of common knowledge that in many cases the cause for industrial unrest or dispute is attempt by the employers to exploit workmen taking undue advantage of their helplessness. Similarly, there are also cases in which employees, after securing employment under an employer, and also acquiring experience and/or special training at his cost, either make unjust demands or desert the employer, the moment some other employer offers a little more salary as he is going to get a trained employee. Both such acts are instances of ingratitude and therefore contrary to Dharma.

The sense of gratitude which had been regarded as one of the basic rule of "Dharma", was applicable with greater force to the employers and employees. This meant that an employee should have to be grateful to the employer who provided him an employment, with the aid of which the employee not only learnt the job from the employer and acquired expertise, but also earned income. Similarly, an employer was required to have a sense of gratitude towards his employees, who toiled for him. Thus mutual co-operation with a sense of gratitude towards each other was made part of "Dharma" which is of eternal value for the success of any business, trade, industry or undertaking. In the absence of such attitude, both become utterly selfish. The employer would attempt to exploit the employees and the employees instead of being industrious, think of only demanding more wages and prerequisite without any concern for the interest of the employer or the trade, business or industry in which they are employed. Nowadays, it is a matter of common knowledge that in many cases the cause for industrial unrest or dispute is attempt by the employers to exploit workmen taking undue advantage of their helplessness. Similarly, there are also cases in which employees, after securing employment under an employer, and also acquiring experience and/or special training at his cost, either make unjust demands or desert the employer, the moment some other employer offers a little more salary as he is going to get a trained employee. Both such acts are instances of ingratitude and therefore contrary to Dharma.

== Dharma for domestic servants ==

=== Dharma for domestic servants ===

There has been a provision concerning domestic servants, which indicates that employer should ensure humane treatment to the employees.<blockquote>ये नित्या भात्किकास्तेषामनुपरोधेन संविभागो विहित: |काममात्मानं भार्यां पुत्रं कोपरुन्ध्यान्न त्वेव दासकर्मकरम् || </blockquote><blockquote>''ye nityā bhātkikāsteṣāmanuparodhena saṁvibhāgo vihita: | kāmamātmānaṁ bhāryāṁ putraṁ koparundhyānna tveva dāsakarmakaram ||''</blockquote>Meaning : While distributing food to all the guests, if there is any shortage of food, the householder may stint (reduce the share to) himself, his wife and children, but by no means the food due to should be reduced. (Apastamba Smriti - Vide Dharma Kosha -P-816)

There has been a provision concerning domestic servants, which indicates that employer should ensure humane treatment to the employees.<blockquote>ये नित्या भात्किकास्तेषामनुपरोधेन संविभागो विहित: |काममात्मानं भार्यां पुत्रं कोपरुन्ध्यान्न त्वेव दासकर्मकरम् || </blockquote><blockquote>''ye nityā bhātkikāsteṣāmanuparodhena saṁvibhāgo vihita: | kāmamātmānaṁ bhāryāṁ putraṁ koparundhyānna tveva dāsakarmakaram ||''</blockquote>Meaning : While distributing food to all the guests, if there is any shortage of food, the householder may stint (reduce the share to) himself, his wife and children, but by no means the food due to should be reduced. (Apastamba Smriti - Vide Dharma Kosha -P-816)