SC Ruling on Workplace Suicides: When Can Employers Be Held Liable?
Karma Management Global Consulting Solutions Pvt Ltd
Enhancing HR & Compliance with Efficiency
The Supreme Court recently quashed criminal proceedings against executives of Hindustan Unilever Limited (Company) in a case involving the suicide of an employee. The Court emphasized that an offence under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) requires clear evidence of ‘abetment,’ meaning direct and alarming incitement leaving the victim no option but to commit suicide.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS :
The UK’s international commitments on climate and nature could soon become law – and better protect our environment
The U.K.’s Climate Change Act 2008 provides a long-term framework to improve carbon management, to help the transition to a low carbon economy, encourage investment in low carbon goods and provide an international sign up.
The government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve 'net zero' emissions by 2050. This 2050 target was introduced by the Conservative government. The current government has announced several policies, including measures intended to increase UK renewable energy production.
Labour unions sue to block DOGE access to sensitive information at US agencies
Labor Unions are suing the Trump Administration in an attempt to stop the Elon Musk led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team from accessing private information at the Education and Treasury Departments and the Office of Personnel Management.
Nineteen Democratic attorneys general have sued President Donald Trump to stop Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Treasury Department records that contain sensitive personal data such as Social Security and bank account numbers for millions of Americans.
Meta Layoffs Put Several Immigrant Workers at Risk Amid US Visa Uncertainty
Meta Layoffs Put Several Immigrant Workers at Risk Amid US Visa Uncertainty. With Meta initiating another round of job cut in 2025, many employees on work visas now face an uncertain future in the United States.
Following another round of layoffs at Meta, employees are publicly criticizing the company's leadership regarding the selection process. Despite Meta's claims of "performance-based layoffs," numerous employees allege they were terminated despite having a history of meeting performance expectations.
Paid parental leave for Iowa state workers passes House committee. Can it succeed?
Today, Governor Kim Reynolds released the Families First Bill to the Iowa House and Senate. Gov. Reynolds is proposing four weeks of paid maternity leave and one week of paid paternity leave for state employees. Gov. Reynolds is also proposing four weeks of paid leave for state employees who adopt a child. Currently, the state offers no paid parental leave to its employees who are caring for a new child.
NATIONAL NEWS :
Co can’t escape environment compensation by paying royalty for illegal extraction: NGT
In the earlier period of 2015, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued a directive to Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) to investigate allegations of unlawful mining of rocks and gravel in Yamunagar district. NGT was hearing a petition by a resident who sought environmental compensation for mining activities conducted without the requisite environmental clearances or consents.
Union Budget 2025: Gig workers to get healthcare benefits and ID cards
The Union Budget 2025 marks a landmark initiative in India's labour welfare landscape with a comprehensive framework to extend formal recognition and social security benefits to gig workers. Lauding the decision, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, hailed the Government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of over 1 crore gig workers across the country.
Employment regulation? Govt. may soon ask private companies to notify all vacancies.
In a step to reform employment regulations, the central government plans to replace the Employment Exchanges Act, 1959, with a new Social Security Act, mandating private companies to report job vacancies. Private companies usually advertise vacant positions through platforms like LinkedIn and Naukri.com for recruitment purposes. However, it may soon become mandatory for private companies to disclose information about vacancies in all departments and verticals to the government.
EPFO Likely To Maintain Interest Rate Around 8.25% For 2024-25
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is likely to keep the interest rate on provident fund (PF) deposits above 8% and more so around 8.25%, similar to the previous year. The rate will be revealed on February 28, 2025, during a meeting of the EPFO’s central board of trustees (CBT).
JUDGEMENTS:
Punishment can be imposed even if misconduct was committed outside the establishment's premises.
Premises carrying out consultancy services are covered under the ambit of the ESI Act.
Daily allowance is 'wages' under the Employees Compensation Act.
Non-supply of copy of inquiry report to any party is a violation of POSH Act.
DID YOU KNOW:
The Working Time Regulations 1998 and the Working Time Directive in the UK grant every worker the right to paid holidays, breaks, and weekends. As per international law, workers must receive at least 28 days (or four weeks) of paid leave annually, including public holidays, with no qualifying period. These laws aim to ensure work-life balance and safeguard physical and mental well-being. To uphold genuine rest, employers cannot offer "rolled-up holiday pay" (e.g., an extra 12.5% in wages) instead of actual leave.
MUST READ:
Working over 48 hours a week? What Indian labour laws say about your work week
A survey conducted by the global job matching and hiring platform Indeed found that 88% of Indian employees are regularly contacted by their employers outside of work hours, with 85% reporting that such communication continues even during sick leave or public holidays. Despite that, the Indian workforce is suffering, because as per International Labour Organisation data, 50.5% of individuals worked 49 hours or more per week. Interestingly, this is after a major drop from 2018's 63.4%.
India’s struggle to end manual scavenging continues
Manual scavenging in major metropolitan cities must immediately stop, the Supreme Court directed in the last week of January 2025 drawing the line for municipal commissioners and chief executive officers of six major cosmopolitan cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, to comply with this order upfront and report compliance in two weeks.
Thank You !