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== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

Dharma regulates the conduct of all individuals in every sphere of human activity. One such aspect is the rules to be observed by both employers and the employees. These were part of Raja dharma (Constitutional Law) and Vyavahara dharma (The Law on various other topics) and applied to both government and private employment. There were eighteen major topics of law which were in force at the earliest point of time. Two of them  laid down the Dharma of Employers and Employees. Namely,   

Dharma regulates the conduct of all individuals in every sphere of human activity. One such aspect is the rules to be observed by both employers and the employees. These were part of Raja dharma (Constitutional Law) and Vyavahara dharma (Law on various other topics) and applied to both government and private employment. There were eighteen major topics of law which were in force at the earliest point of time. Two of them  laid down the Dharma of Employers and Employees. Namely,   

* Swamipala Vivada ie. disputes between master and servant  

* Swamipala Vivada ie. disputes between master and servant  

* Vetana dana ie. payment of wages   

* Vetana dana ie. payment of wages   

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

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

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.         

Five of these, namely, Samvibhaga, Akrodha, Kshama, Shaucha and Adroha are extremely relevant in the context of the employer-employee relationship. They can be called the five fundamental codes of conduct in this regard, the observance of which will do good both to the employers and to the employees by securing their happiness and welfare.         

=== संविभागः ॥ Samvibhaga ===

=== संविभागः ॥ Samvibhaga ===

The principle of "Samvibhaga", entails that the employers share the profit arising out of running any industry or business with the employees. An employer runs his business, trade or industry with the help of the employees. Therefore, they should be given a reasonable share in the profit earned.  

The principle of "Samvibhaga", entails that the employers share the profit arising out of running any industry or business with the employees. An employer runs his business, trade or industry with the help of the employees. Therefore, it is stated that they should be given a reasonable share in the profit earned.  

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. Therefore, in the light of the principle of Samvibhaga, if the employers appropriate only a reasonable portion of the profit for themselves and distribute rest of the profit among the employees, the relationship between the two would be cordial. 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. This is evident 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. Therefore, the principle of Samvibhaga constituted the fundamental Dharma to be observed by the employers towards their employees.

Also, 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. Therefore, in the light of the principle of Samvibhaga, if the employers appropriate only a reasonable portion of the profit for themselves and distribute rest of the profit among the employees, the relationship between the two would be cordial. 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. This is evident 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. Therefore, the principle of Samvibhaga constituted the fundamental Dharma to be observed by the employers towards their employees.

=== अक्रोध: ॥ Akrodha ===

=== अक्रोध: ॥ Akrodha ===

Akrodha means 'to be free from anger'. Many a times, human beings commit actions on account of anger that may result in irreparable loss and injury; causing misery to both the doer and the receiver. This general rule applies to the relationship of employers and employees as well.  

Akrodha means 'to be free from anger'. Many a times, human beings commit actions on account of anger that may result in irreparable loss and injury; causing misery to both the doer and the receiver. This general rule applies to the relationship of employers and employees as well.  

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. This gives rise to an experience of humiliation within the employees that overrides their desire to work with devotion. Thus, unjustified and disproportionate anger is also one of the causes of industrial unrest. Therefore, the principle of Akrodha warns employers against uncontrolled anger. It enjoins that even when an employee commits mistake, the employer's anger should not cross reasonable limits. And this guideline equally applies to employees as well.

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. This gives rise to an experience of humiliation within the employees that overrides their desire to work with devotion. Thus, unjustified and disproportionate anger is also one of the causes for industrial unrest. Therefore, the principle of Akrodha warns employers against uncontrolled anger. It enjoins that even when an employee commits mistake, the employer's anger should not cross reasonable limits. And this guideline equally applies to employees as well.

=== क्षमा ॥ Kshama ===

=== क्षमा ॥ 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.

Kshama or forgiveness is another important quality to be nurtured in the relationship between an Employer and the Employee. Employees, like other human beings, are bound to err or even be guilty of misconduct. Therefore, 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. It ensues from the understanding that the quantum of penalty must be in proportion to the gravity of the misconduct. Therefore, only in cases where the misconduct is grave that the maximum or highest penalty is termed justified; And only then imposition of such a penalty is delineated.

=== शौचम् ॥ Shaucha ===

=== शौचम् ॥ 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.

Shaucha refers to cleanliness in thought, word and deed. And hence, is also called as Trikarana Shuddhi (त्रिकरणशुद्धिः). This principle is of considerable importance because thinking of one thing, speaking differently and doing altogether something else destroys a person's confidence in oneself and affects reliability. Therefore, such a conduct was tabooed.  

 

In the context of Vyavasaya Dharma, it refers to the principle of 'transperancy' wherein, irrespective of being an employer/manager or employee, a person is expected to be honest and straight-forward. And following this rule of Dharma, both by the employers and the employees, is known to be most conducive to the smooth running of any Governmental department, trade, business or industry; as well as for the cordial relationship between the employers and employees.

=== अद्रोहः ॥ Adroha ===

=== अद्रोहः ॥ 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.

Another important principle that also somewhere emanates from the quality of Shaucha (transperancy) is Adroha. It refers to 'Not betraying the confidence or trust reposed in oneself'. In other words, it lays down that an employee should not betray the confidence or trust reposed in him by the employer. It restrains one from indulging in theft, cheating, misappropriation, or simply going slow in working etc., that lead to loss or injury for the employer.

Based on the above basic rules of Dharma, there are certain verses in Sukraniti which are advisory in character which stress the importance of the payment of proper wages, courteous treatment of the employees, on the part of the management/master and honest and sincere service by the employees. They are:<blockquote>ये भृत्या हीनभृतिका: शत्रवस्ते स्वयं कृता: | परस्य साधकास्ते तु छिद्रकोशप्रजाहरा: || (Sukraniti-Il 807-808)</blockquote><blockquote>''ye bhr̥tyā hīnabhr̥tikā: śatravaste svayaṁ kr̥tā: | parasya sādhakāste tu chidrakośaprajāharā: ||''</blockquote>Meaning : Because of the payment of very low wages, employees of the king are likely to become his enemies and they are also likely to become plunderers of treasuries and cause hardship to the general public.<blockquote>वाक्पारुष्यान्नयूनभृंत्या स्वामी प्रबळदण्डत: | भृत्यं प्रशिक्षयेन्नित्यं शत्रुत्वं त्वपमानत: || </blockquote><blockquote>भृतिदानेन सन्तुष्टा मानेन परिवर्धिता: | सान्विता मृदुवाचा ये न त्यजन्त्यधिपं हि ते || (Sukraniti-Il, 836-839)</blockquote><blockquote>''vākpāruṣyānnayūnabhr̥ṁtyā svāmī prabaladaṇḍata: | bhr̥tyaṁ praśikṣayennityaṁ śatrutvaṁ tvapamānata: ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''bhr̥tidānena santuṣṭā mānena parivardhitā: | sānvitā mr̥duvācā ye na tyajantyadhipaṁ hi te ||''</blockquote>Meaning : Low wages, harsh treatment, insults, abuses and imposition of heavy fines or severe punishments are the causes of unrest among the employees. Satisfied with payment of adequate wages, promoted honourably, cheered up by gentle words and consoled in grief, the employees will never let down or desert their master.<blockquote>भृत्यस्स एव सुश्श्र्लोको मापत्तौ स्वामिनं स्यदेत् | स्वामी स एव विज्ञेयो भृत्यार्थे जीवितं त्यजेत् ||</blockquote><blockquote>''bhr̥tyassa eva suśśrloko māpattau svāminaṁ syadet | svāmī sa eva vijñeyo bhr̥tyārthe jīvitaṁ tyajet ||''</blockquote>Meaning : He is an excellent employee who does not desert the master in difficulties. He is known to be an ideal master who makes sacrifices in the interest of his employees.

Based on the above basic rules of Dharma, there are certain verses in Sukraniti which are advisory in character which stress the importance of the payment of proper wages, courteous treatment of the employees, on the part of the management/master and honest and sincere service by the employees. They are:<blockquote>ये भृत्या हीनभृतिका: शत्रवस्ते स्वयं कृता: | परस्य साधकास्ते तु छिद्रकोशप्रजाहरा: || (Sukraniti-Il 807-808)</blockquote><blockquote>''ye bhr̥tyā hīnabhr̥tikā: śatravaste svayaṁ kr̥tā: | parasya sādhakāste tu chidrakośaprajāharā: ||''</blockquote>Meaning : Because of the payment of very low wages, employees of the king are likely to become his enemies and they are also likely to become plunderers of treasuries and cause hardship to the general public.<blockquote>वाक्पारुष्यान्नयूनभृंत्या स्वामी प्रबळदण्डत: | भृत्यं प्रशिक्षयेन्नित्यं शत्रुत्वं त्वपमानत: || </blockquote><blockquote>भृतिदानेन सन्तुष्टा मानेन परिवर्धिता: | सान्विता मृदुवाचा ये न त्यजन्त्यधिपं हि ते || (Sukraniti-Il, 836-839)</blockquote><blockquote>''vākpāruṣyānnayūnabhr̥ṁtyā svāmī prabaladaṇḍata: | bhr̥tyaṁ praśikṣayennityaṁ śatrutvaṁ tvapamānata: ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''bhr̥tidānena santuṣṭā mānena parivardhitā: | sānvitā mr̥duvācā ye na tyajantyadhipaṁ hi te ||''</blockquote>Meaning : Low wages, harsh treatment, insults, abuses and imposition of heavy fines or severe punishments are the causes of unrest among the employees. Satisfied with payment of adequate wages, promoted honourably, cheered up by gentle words and consoled in grief, the employees will never let down or desert their master.<blockquote>भृत्यस्स एव सुश्श्र्लोको मापत्तौ स्वामिनं स्यदेत् | स्वामी स एव विज्ञेयो भृत्यार्थे जीवितं त्यजेत् ||</blockquote><blockquote>''bhr̥tyassa eva suśśrloko māpattau svāminaṁ syadet | svāmī sa eva vijñeyo bhr̥tyārthe jīvitaṁ tyajet ||''</blockquote>Meaning : He is an excellent employee who does not desert the master in difficulties. He is known to be an ideal master who makes sacrifices in the interest of his employees.