Why 900+ Companies Show No Employee Complaints: Is It Really True?

In a surprising turn of events, data reveals that more than 900 companies reported zero employee complaints in 2023. At first glance, this seems like an impressive feat, especially considering how workplace concerns are common everywhere. From health and safety issues to complaints about working hours, many companies receive numerous reports from their employees. But why are these companies showing no complaints at all?

Over 2 Lakh Complaints Filed in 2023

According to a report by Economic Times and data from Prime Database, top Indian companies faced over 2.20 lakh employee complaints in the 2023 financial year. Out of these, a large portion was related to health and safety, with 75,000 additional complaints focused on overworking. These complaints are common in almost all sectors, especially after the pandemic, where employees have become more vocal about their working conditions.

Yet, some companies are reporting zero complaints. This naturally raises the question: how are so many organizations not seeing any issues?

Expert Opinions: The Truth Behind the Numbers

Industry experts aren’t convinced by these “zero complaint” reports. Professor Binoy Paul of Tata Institute of Social Sciences finds it impossible to believe that no complaints exist. According to him, the absence of complaints doesn’t necessarily mean employees are satisfied; it could indicate other issues like poor reporting systems or a culture where workers feel hesitant to speak up.

Similarly, Nagaraj Krishnan, Managing Director of Aparajita Corporate Services, echoes the same thoughts. He says that just because no complaints are officially recorded doesn’t mean there aren’t problems. Many companies may lack proper systems for employees to raise their concerns systematically, leading to an artificial sense of calm.

Why Don’t Employees File Complaints?

Vikram Shroff, a partner at AZB who specializes in employment and labor law, believes there are several reasons why employees might not file complaints. One is that companies are under pressure to comply with strict health and safety regulations, and in some cases, they even have dedicated committees to address these issues. This proactive approach might help solve problems before they escalate to formal complaints.

Moreover, many companies are conducting regular surveys and feedback sessions to understand employee needs better, especially in the post-Covid era. As a result, minor issues are being resolved before they turn into full-fledged complaints.

A Decrease in Complaint-Free Companies

Despite these proactive efforts, the number of companies reporting no complaints has actually decreased in 2023 compared to the previous year. In 2022, 965 companies had no health and safety complaints, but this number dropped to 944 in 2023. Similarly, the number of companies without complaints about working conditions went down from 949 to 920 during the same period.

This indicates that while some companies may not be recording complaints, others are seeing an increase in issues being raised, likely due to growing employee awareness and willingness to speak up.

Mandatory Reporting Under BRSR

Starting in 2023, the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework made it mandatory for India’s top 1,000 listed companies to disclose employee complaints. This has led to better transparency, but experts argue that the system still needs improvement to ensure all concerns are properly captured and addressed.

While zero complaints may seem like a win for these companies, the reality is more complex. It’s essential for workplaces to have robust systems where employees feel comfortable raising their concerns without fear of retaliation.