While strongly criticising the way an IT employee was dismissed by Cognizant Technology Solutions in 2018, Madras High Court said abrupt firing violates dignity of labour
After returning from a long leave, the employee discovered his access card had been blocked, preventing him from entering the office. Soon after, he was informed that his services had been terminated and compensation was directly credited to his bank account.
The case reached the labour commissioner, who ruled that the dismissal was illegal because no enquiry was conducted and no proper termination order was served. Cognizant challenged this decision, but the High Court upheld the labour court’s ruling.
Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that simply disabling an employee’s smart card and turning him away at the gate cannot be considered a lawful or dignified way of ending employment. The judge stressed that the company should have at least summoned the employee, explained the charges, and formally handed over the termination order.
The Court highlighted that the employee had served the company for 18 years, and such treatment undermined the basic dignity of labour. It emphasised that fair working conditions and due process are fundamental rights, and bypassing them breaches both legal and ethical standards.
This ruling sends a clear message to employers: technology-based access systems cannot replace proper HR procedures. Termination must follow established rules, including enquiry and communication, to protect employee rights and maintain workplace fairness.
