Comments for Vivek Patwardhan

Comment on When Judgments Do Not Deliver Justice by Mirza Yawar Baig

Mirza Yawar Baig — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 13:49:36 +0000

I can guess who was the head of personnel/IR at Asian Paints at that time. 😀
In my view irrespective of the court’s decision the company’s (meaning Racold’s) action was morally wrong. No matter what the law of the land says there’s a higher law under which their action is culpable. Deliberately deceiving the workers and leaving them stranded on the eve of Diwali is adding insult to injury. How can this be justified? Whichever miserable creature dreamed up this strategy to please his masters, may he or she never get a peaceful night’s sleep. Just like so many others lost their peace of mind thanks to his action. Truly there are some despicable people in the world.

Comment on When Judgments Do Not Deliver Justice by Abhijit Pendse

Abhijit Pendse — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 11:41:57 +0000

Instructive blogspot sir. Ordinary profit maximizing Leadership chooses mostly to follow letter of the law and very few choose Manners, what Lord Moulton remarked in his speech Law and Manners.
In his words, ” To me, Manners in this broad sense signifies the doing that which you should do although you are not obliged to do it. I do not wish to call it Duty, for that is too narrow to describe it, nor would I call it Morals for the same reason. It might include both, but it extends beyond them. It covers all cases of right doing where there is none to make you do it but yourself.”

Comment on When Judgments Do Not Deliver Justice by Vineet kaul

Vineet kaul — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 11:39:33 +0000

Dear Vivek
This is definitely not a good outcome !!
Have been reading your coverage on Racold over the years .
The spirit behind welfare /labour legislation is forgotten in following the letter of the law .
Sadly, the recourse to review such issues or adjudication is an ordeal.
The contrasting examples you share are useful and can guide an Organisation to decide where they stand .
Thanks and Regards

Comment on When Judgments Do Not Deliver Justice by Khushboo Churendra

Khushboo Churendra — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 11:36:46 +0000

The law can define the minimum standard of responsibility, but it cannot always define the extent of our humanity. There is a difference between fulfilling an obligation and genuinely doing right by people.

An important perspective to reflect on. Thank you for sharing, Sir!

Comment on When Judgments Do Not Deliver Justice by Joseph George A

Joseph George A — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 11:22:34 +0000

Recently I interviewed a candidate on behalf of a client. She averred that if the CEO wishes dismissal of an employee, no recourse is possible. (In the course of a situational judgment reasoning exercise!) On checking how she came to that conclusion, I understood that the decision logic arises due to news reports of such precedents. No, the candidate was honest, but unsound in judgment, despite being taught Industrial rElations and Labour welfare.

The point is that human judgment fails even before the courts of justice makes up its mind.
That’s the contemporary malaise of our society. Not only that in a democracy, the people get the government they deserve, our institutions are perfectly designed for the outcomes it delviers.

Comment on When Judgments Do Not Deliver Justice by NS Iyer

NS Iyer — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 10:22:23 +0000

Justice should not only be done, but seen to be done.
Employees should feel it in their skin.
Justice is not established by the order management passes. It is established by the fairness employees experience. And that experience, repeated consistently, becomes organisational culture.

Nice thought provoking blog, Sir.

Comment on Exploit Them, They are Available by NS Iyer

NS Iyer — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 09:17:31 +0000

1. The issue also revolves around fragmentation of the workforce into permanent employees, contract workers, fixed-term employees, trainees, apprentices and gig workers may work alongside each other, but enjoy very different levels of security and representation.
2. When the workforce is fragmented, collective voice becomes increasingly difficult to organise.
3. Role of HR: Workforce model is dependent on excessive overtime, insecure employment or wage structures that penalise workers, it must question the model. It cannot hide behind the argument that the practice has been approved by management or is prevalent in the industry. Its influence on the Management and the line is critical.
4. This was something the AP management did not take lightly. Hence, values wrt people and doing the right thing was always emphasised.
5. Deeper issue is business models today are built around the vulnerability of the workforce.
6. Consent needs to viewed in the context of the bargaining power between parties.

Comment on Exploit Them, They are Available by Vikrant Bhuskute

Vikrant Bhuskute — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:40:26 +0000

Agree with all the comments, adding the need and dignity struggle to the mix.
As a practitioner, I will be watchful of my practices and advocate this outlook amongst fellow professionals.
Thank you for reminding me, Sir.

Comment on Exploit Them, They are Available by Yogesh Ashok Pethkar

Yogesh Ashok Pethkar — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:32:04 +0000

Sir,
The main concern is as you have written, for migrants only objective is to earn more money even by working extra hours every day and sometimes not even taking weekly offs. For companies, if they decide to work with 8 hrs duty and no overtime above statutory limits, it will not be possible to retain these manpower as they want to earn more. So both casually considers this as win win situation and system continues. If one company decides to follow stringent rules and their competition doesn’t, likely assumption is I will lose as a company. So if everyone is doing, why shouldn’t I.

Comment on Exploit Them, They are Available by Marcel Parker

Marcel Parker — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:06:56 +0000

Thank you Vivek for challenging our collective discomfort and guilt and being a champion of awareness creation
Is there some way we can propagate these kind of situations to management students ,business schools and teachers of employee relations and law enforcement agencies to raise awarenesss and reduce these practises-yes I realise its like trying to solve world hunger but at least consciences start early