Guidance & Resources
Practical implementation guides and resources to help your organization comply with India's new labour codes.
All
Implementation
Policy
Compliance
Technical
Safety
Implementation
Transition Checklist for Employers
Step-by-step guide to prepare your organization for the new labour codes
- Review and update employment contracts with required terms
- Issue appointment letters to all existing employees
- Revise wage structures to comply with new definitions
- Update HR policies for fixed-term employment provisions
- Review standing orders if employing 300+ workers
- Register for single window establishment registration
- Update payroll systems for new calculation methods
- Train HR team on new compliance requirements
- Review and update leave policies
- Establish or update grievance redressal mechanism
Implementation
Onboarding & Offer Letter Checklist
Essential elements for compliant employee onboarding
- Issue offer letter with clear job description and reporting structure
- Include compensation details with all components specified
- Specify notice period and termination clauses
- Include probation period terms if applicable
- Add confidentiality and non-disclosure undertakings
- Include non-compete and non-solicitation clauses where applicable
- Specify intellectual property assignment provisions
- Add references to company policies and code of conduct
- Include consent for background verification
- Ensure signed acceptance and acknowledgment
- Collect joining documents and declarations
- Complete statutory registrations (PF, ESI)
- Issue appointment letter with detailed terms
Policy
HR Policy Updates Required
Key HR policies that need revision under the new codes
- Employment contract templates with mandatory appointment letter format
- Fixed-term employment policy with benefit parity provisions
- Leave policy aligned with new working hour provisions
- Maternity benefit policy with enhanced entitlements
- Night shift policy for women employees
- Inter-state migrant worker policy and benefits
- Overtime and compensatory off policy
- Grievance redressal procedure
- Sexual harassment prevention policy (POSH)
- Disciplinary and termination procedures
Policy
Comprehensive HR Policy Framework
Building blocks for a robust HR policy manual
- Code of conduct and ethics policy
- Anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy
- Attendance and punctuality guidelines
- Performance management framework
- Training and development policy
- Travel and expense reimbursement policy
- IT and data security policy
- Social media and communication guidelines
- Conflict of interest declaration process
- Whistleblower and grievance policy
Compliance
Record Keeping Requirements
Registers and records that must be maintained under the new codes
- Register of employees with complete details
- Wage register showing components and deductions
- Attendance and overtime register
- Leave register
- Register of fines and deductions
- Accident register (for OSH compliance)
- Register of contractors and contract labour
- Register of inter-state migrant workers
- Register of apprentices
- Inspection book for Inspector-cum-Facilitator visits
Compliance
Worker Classification Guide
Understanding blue-collar vs white-collar distinctions under labour codes
- Definition of 'workman' under Industrial Relations Code
- Exclusions from workman definition (supervisory, managerial)
- Wage ceiling considerations for applicability
- Standing orders applicability based on classification
- Retrenchment and lay-off provisions for workmen
- Fixed-term employment across categories
- Different termination procedures by category
- Gratuity and social security applicability
- Contract labour classification nuances
- Gig and platform worker classification
Technical
Payroll System Changes
Updates required to payroll and compensation systems
- Revise wage structure to align with new definitions
- Update minimum wage calculations by state and sector
- Configure overtime calculation at twice normal rate
- Update bonus calculation based on allocable surplus
- Configure EPF contribution calculations
- Update ESI contribution deductions
- Configure gratuity calculation for fixed-term employees
- Set up professional tax deductions as per state
- Generate compliant pay slips with required components
- Maintain digital records for web-based inspections
Safety
Safety & Health Compliance
OSH Code requirements for workplace safety and health
- Conduct workplace risk assessment
- Establish safety committee (if required)
- Provide personal protective equipment
- Display safety instructions prominently
- Arrange annual health check-ups for specified employees
- Maintain first-aid facilities
- Establish emergency evacuation procedures
- Provide safety training to employees
- Report accidents within prescribed timelines
- Maintain safety and health records
Key Implementation Dates
Nov 21
2025
All Four Codes Come Into Effect
Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, OSH Code, and Social Security Code become effective across India.
Ongoing
State Rules Notification
States continue to notify their rules. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala have notified all codes. Check the Rules page for latest status.