Employer-employee relations: A judicial perspective

This paper aims to assess the emerging pattern of employer-employee relationship in India which has been the key in sustaining balance in the industrial relations scenario. Judiciary has time and again tried to interpret statutes and attempted to come out with its interpretations that maintain harmony and peace in industrial establishments. Paper revisits judgments aimed at interpreting employer-employee relations. Judiciary has repeatedly provided indications that employers and employees have their respective obligations and they need to have the appreciation of each other's responsibilities, duties and obligations. Judiciary has reminded all stakeholders of industrial establishments from time to time that every dispute between the employer and the employee has, to take into consideration the third dimension, viz., the interests of the society as a whole, particularly the interest of those who are deprived of their basic rights and may be more unfortunate than others. Judiciary has also adjudicated upon as to whom the onus of establishing relationship of employer employee lies.