DISCIPLINE
Meaning:-
Maintenance of harmonious human relations in an organisation depends upon promotion and maintenance of discipline. No organisation can prosper without discipline because it is a matter of utmost concern for all organisations.
Discipline in Industry may be described as willing cooperation and observance of rules and regulations of the organisation. Simply stated, it means orderliness. It implies absence of chaos irregularity and confusion in behaviour of workers.
Definition:- According to Ordway Tead, “Discipline is the orderly conduct of affairs by the members of an organisation, who adhere harmoniously in forwarding towards the end which the group has in view and willingly recognise that.”
Aspects- There are 2 aspects of discipline.
(a) Positive Aspect :-
Employees believe in and support discipline and adhere to rules, regulations, and desired standards of behaviour. Positive discipline takes places whenever the organisational climate is marked by aspects such as payment of adequate remuneration and incentives, chances for career advancement, etc, which all motivate employees to adhere to organisation rules & regulations.
(b) Negative Aspect:-
Employees sometimes do not believe in discipline. As such, they do not adhere to rules, regulations and desired standards of behaviour. This approach to discipline is called negative approach or corrective approach or punitive approach. In this approach people are forced to observe rules and regulations on account of fear of fine, demotion or transfer.
Importance:-
Discipline is very essence of life. Absence of discipline means chaos and disorder. In an industry big or small, manpower is the most important factor which can be used effectively only if there is discipline in the industry. It can be brought about by fear or punitive actions, it should be brought voluntarily. A man may work under compulsion but he will constantly be in conflict with his natural impulse and strain which can’t be considered good social relations in work group. So in order to bring discipline there should be good relationship between employer and employee and interest of workers should also be highlighted.
Maintenance of discipline is a prerequisite for the attainment of maximum productivity, not only of workers but also of entire nation. Self-discipline is the highest form of discipline and management effort should be directed to encourage this. True discipline is education because it changes attitude of workers towards their work and workplace. Thus, discipline is to be developed from within and it has to be reformative and not punitive.
Principles:-
The basic prerequisites of discipline in industrial organisations are as follows:-
1) The objective of industrial discipline should be clearly stated and specify the standards expected of the work men.
2) Specific and clear rules and regulations should be laid down in consultation with the workers which serve as code of conduct for workers and managers.
3) Rules must be communicated to all in organisation and must be understood in same terms.
4) The rules of conduct must contain provision for investigation and settlement of grievances arising out of and during course of employment.
5) The management should ensure that their own conduct and policies do not encourage breach of discipline. This will promote self-discipline among workers.
6) The enforcement authority must be specified. The procedure for appeal against disciplinary action by aggrieved party should also be provided.
7) The quantum of prescribed punishment in specified cases of indiscipline should be known.
All rules and regulations should be executed objectively and consistently. They should be appraised regularly to keep them suitable and upto date.
9) The discipline policy should seek to prevent the breach of discipline rather than to administer penalties. Penalties should be used only when they become absolutely necessary.
10) There should be suitable grievance procedure for the prompt redressal of all grievances of employees. All awards & agreements should be implemented with out delay and discrimination.
11) A discipline committee may be constituted to look into the causes of indiscipline in the enterprise and to suggest suitable measures for their removal.