Discipline hallmark of every employee, says High Court

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, October17

The HP High Court has imposed Rs 20,000 as costs on an contractual employee, while taking a tough stand over the issue of the abuse of the process of court and to curb such tendencies with a iron hand.

The court dismissed the petition filed by the contractual employee challenging the order of discontinuation of her services and observed that “discipline is the hallmark of every employee and in case an employee is not ready to subject himself/ herself to discipline, then obviously he/ she not only invites the wrath of her employer but also is liable to be proceeded against”.

A division Bench comprising Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua said, “Every employee must be loyal and disciplined towards his employer and colleagues. If an employee conducts himself/ herself in a manner that is alleged to have been done by the petitioner herein, the image in the mind of the public about the Collectorate and its authority is totally shattered, the petitioner cannot vitiate the working as also the atmosphere of the Collectorate”.

The court passed the order on a petition filed by a contractual data entry operator deployed in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Sirmaur, on the outsourced basis. She was employed on November 5, 2014, and thereafter her contract was renewed from time to time. However, her contract was discontinued on January 7, 2020. Aggrieved at the discontinuation of her services, she filed the petition.

During the hearing, it was contended on behalf of the DC’s office that the services of the petitioner were discontinued due to her continuous indifferent behaviour and indiscipline in working despite various verbal and written directions issued to her. Moreover, various complaints were also received against her.

After hearing the parties, the court observed that the punishment handed out to the petitioner is fully justified and no lenient view can be taken is such cases.

Abuse of court process

The contract of the data entry operator deployed at the DC’s office was discontinued on January 7. During the hearing, it was contended on behalf of the DC’s office that the petitioner had an indifferent behaviour towards work and was indisciplined despite various verbal and written directions issued to her.