Labour And Employment

We provide strategic legal counsel on all aspects of employment and industrial relations to businesses operating in India. Our Labour and Employment practice serves Indian and multinational companies across diverse sectors, helping them navigate the complex web of central and state-specific labour laws, rapidly evolving workplace regulations, and emerging employment trends. From day-to-day compliance to complex restructurings and disputes, we combine technical expertise with practical business solutions to protect employer interests while fostering positive workplace relations.

Employment Strategy & Compliance

• Drafting of employment contracts, appointment letters, employee handbooks, and policies, to ensure clarity, fairness, and compliance with Indian labour laws including but not limited to Industrial Disputes Act, the Factories Act, the Minimum Wages Act, and other relevant statutes.

• Structuring employment arrangements

• Compensation planning, benefits structuring, and retirement schemes

• Transfer, secondment, and redeployment strategies

• Implementation of flexible work arrangements, remote work policies, and hybrid models

• Audit and review of existing employment documentation and HR compliances and practices
• Advisory on termination strategies, workforce redundancies, and retrenchment

Industrial Relations & Labour Laws

• Compliance with Industrial Disputes Act, Industrial Relations Code, and state-specific labour laws
• Negotiation and drafting of collective bargaining agreements
• Management of trade unions, work councils, and employee representation bodies
• Factory and establishment registrations, inspections, and ongoing compliance
• Implementation of standing orders and service rules
• Advisory on working hours, overtime, leave policies, and statutory benefits
• Guidance on labour codes implementation and transition strategies

Employee Benefits & Compensation

• Structuring of Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) and equity-based incentives
• Compliance with social security laws

• Provident Fund
• ESI
• Gratuity
• Bonus requirements

• Assistance with statutory contributions, filings, and benefits administration
• Advisory on minimum wages, equal pay provisions, and payment of wages compliance
• Retirement benefits planning and regulatory compliance
• Maternity Benefit and Employment Insurance
• Expert legal guidance for employees seeking to take maternity leave or employees eligible for medical leave under various health benefit schemes.

Workplace Disputes & Litigation

• Representation before labour courts, industrial tribunals, and civil courts
• Resolution of individual and collective labour disputes
• Defence against unfair labour practice claims and industrial actions
• Management of disciplinary procedures, domestic inquiries, and misconduct investigations
• Settlement negotiations and conciliation proceedings
• Advisory on strikes, lockouts, and business continuity planning
• Enforcement of non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality obligations

Specialized Employment Advisory

• Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH)
• Formation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) 
• Development of anti-sexual harassment policies and complaint mechanisms
• Training programs for employees and IC members
• Investigation support and compliance with procedural requirements
• Handling sensitive complaints and maintaining confidentiality
• Annual reporting and regulatory compliance
• Advisory on filing complaints in accordance with various laws, including but not limited to Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, etc

Employment Aspects of Corporate Transactions

• Due diligence on employment and labour matters in M&As
• Transfer of employees in business transfers, asset sales, and restructurings
• Integration of workforces post-acquisition
• Harmonization of employment terms and benefits
• Managing redundancies and separation packages

Workforce Management & Specialized Advisory

• Advisory on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices
• Workplace investigations and crisis management
• Drafting of separation arrangements
• Data protection in the employment context under the DPDP Act, 2023
• ESG compliance in labour practices and supply chains
• Social media policies and digital workplace governance