V2I11P14

Balancing Individual and Collective Rights in Democratic Workspaces: An HRM Perspective from Indian Public Institutions

Durga Ghosh^1*, Dr. Avani Bharadwaj alias Preeti Aagneya²

Abstract

This study examines how individual and collective rights interact dynamically in democracies, with a particular emphasis on human resource management (HRM) in India. India, a thriving democracy and one of the oldest civilizations in the world, maintains a constitutional framework that, under Part III (Articles 12 to 35) of the Constitution, provides both individual liberty and social entitlements. These rights, which serve as the moral cornerstone of institutional administration, include equality, freedom of speech and religion, protection against exploitation, and cultural autonomy. In this regard, HRM serves as a mediator of constitutional principles in addition to being a strategic administrative instrument, especially in public institutions and educational contexts. Here, institutional culture, legal requirements, and organizational norms frequently overlap—and occasionally clash—making it necessary to strike a balance between individual liberty and the welfare of the group. This study combines case law, constitutional analysis, and HR practices to develop a rights-based HRM model that is consistent with India’s democratic values. By doing this, it emphasizes how important HRM is to create inclusive, legal, and morally sound workplaces that uphold both individual integrity and group integrity.

Keywords:

Individual Rights, Collective Rights, Constitution of India, Human Resource Management, Educational Institutions, Workplace Ethics