Hello Sir,
I run a proprietorship trading company. My driver, who had been working for me for the past 20 years, left on his own last year (2014) due to misconduct he committed and was caught red-handed. He did not even contact me until yesterday. He called me and asked for compensation for his 20 years of service. I had paid him his regular salary up to date. So, should I pay him anything now? If not, how can I defend myself? The problem here is that he left on his own without any notice, and it significantly affected our business operations for the next few months until we found another driver.
Please advise.
Sadiq
From India, Chennai
I run a proprietorship trading company. My driver, who had been working for me for the past 20 years, left on his own last year (2014) due to misconduct he committed and was caught red-handed. He did not even contact me until yesterday. He called me and asked for compensation for his 20 years of service. I had paid him his regular salary up to date. So, should I pay him anything now? If not, how can I defend myself? The problem here is that he left on his own without any notice, and it significantly affected our business operations for the next few months until we found another driver.
Please advise.
Sadiq
From India, Chennai
Dear Mr. Sadiq,
I recommend that you conduct the domestic enquiry and allow the employee to defend his case. If his misconduct is proven, then you may terminate his services. He has worked for a long time in your company, and there is a possibility that individuals like him may resort to approaching the labor court. Therefore, it is crucial for you to maintain proper records of his termination.
If the employee were to be separated under normal circumstances, he would have been eligible for gratuity. However, in the case of termination on disciplinary grounds, he could forfeit his gratuity.
Lastly, once you had evidence of his misconduct, the need to continue paying his regular wages is unclear. It would have been advisable to initiate the domestic enquiry as soon as this scandal came to light.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
I recommend that you conduct the domestic enquiry and allow the employee to defend his case. If his misconduct is proven, then you may terminate his services. He has worked for a long time in your company, and there is a possibility that individuals like him may resort to approaching the labor court. Therefore, it is crucial for you to maintain proper records of his termination.
If the employee were to be separated under normal circumstances, he would have been eligible for gratuity. However, in the case of termination on disciplinary grounds, he could forfeit his gratuity.
Lastly, once you had evidence of his misconduct, the need to continue paying his regular wages is unclear. It would have been advisable to initiate the domestic enquiry as soon as this scandal came to light.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
First, you need to give us details of your business, size and nature of operations How many people work in your company What is the nature of duty your driver was doing
From India, Mumbai
From India, Mumbai
Dear Mr. Sadiq,
From your post, the following emerges:
1. The driver worked for 20 years.
2. There was some misconduct issue, but no action was taken by you.
3. The driver absented himself/left without any notice.
What is not clear is what the notice period clause is in the appointment letter. Notwithstanding the notice period issue, he is to be paid the following:
1. Gratuity
2. Earned leave encashment (max 45 days) in case he has leave in credit
3. You may deduct notice period salary (in case it was stipulated in the appointment letter).
Regards,
Col. Suresh Rathi
From India, Delhi
From your post, the following emerges:
1. The driver worked for 20 years.
2. There was some misconduct issue, but no action was taken by you.
3. The driver absented himself/left without any notice.
What is not clear is what the notice period clause is in the appointment letter. Notwithstanding the notice period issue, he is to be paid the following:
1. Gratuity
2. Earned leave encashment (max 45 days) in case he has leave in credit
3. You may deduct notice period salary (in case it was stipulated in the appointment letter).
Regards,
Col. Suresh Rathi
From India, Delhi
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