Adapting the Employer-Employee Duties in the SIGALOVADA SUTTA to the Modern Workplace

Abstract

Legal frameworks and moral theories have long influenced workplace ethics and employer-employee interactions. Among ancient ethical precepts, the Sigalovada Sutta outlines mutual obligations between employers and employees, emphasizing moral leadership, fairness, loyalty, and well-being. This study examines the applicability and adaptation of these principles in modern workplaces by analysing organizational policies and existing literature. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study conducts policy and textual analysis to explore how companies integrate these ethical duties into contemporary employment practices. Findings indicate that the Sigalovada Sutta’s ethical principles align with modern HRM techniques, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainable employment strategies. By bridging the gap between traditional Buddhist ethics and contemporary professional expectations, this study contributes to the discourse on moral corporate conduct and the development of fair and ethical workplace relationships