Discipline & Misconduct

Part 1: Discipline

Discipline could be defined as follows: -

• "behaviour in accordance with rules (as of an organization)";
• "a rule or system of rules governing conduct or action";
• "a body of laws relating to conduct";
• "an orderly or regular pattern of behaviours".

Discipline in Industry refers to the observation of rules in an industrial establishment for maintenance of control and order to organizational standards and objetives. It also refers to a mental condition or attitude prevailing in the different heirachical structure in an industrail organization in accordance with the rules and regulations in force.

The fucntions of discipline is to mantain order by setting limits to an individual's behaviour which may jeopardise the interests of an organization.

Part 2: Misconduct

In the field of employment, an employee has certain express or implied obligations towards his employer. In common law, an employee has the following inherent obligations towards his employer: -

• to give faithful and honest service;
• to utilize reasonable skill and care in his work;
• to obey reasonable and lawful orders;
• not to commit misconduct.

In Industrial Law "misconduct" is a mode of behaviour and conduct of an employee which is inconsistent with the express or implied obligations of his employer. It is an act or omission thereof which is contrary to the expected performance of his duties or in variance with the faithful discharge of his obligations undertaken by him either expressly or impliedly in accepting employment.

[Resource: Hong Leong Mgt School Training Material, 1997]