Lock-out : Meaning Definition and Essentials of Lock-out

1) Introduction 

     Lockout is an act of employer. Lock-out means to "to shut or to close" Prior 1860 Lockout was known as "turn off" Lockout is an effective and widely recognized weapon in the hands of employers. It is the antithesis of Strike. 

2) Meaning of Lockout 

        Lockout means the Closing of a place of Employment or the suspension of work or the refusal by employer to continue to employ any number of persons employed by him. Lockout means withholding of employment by an employer and the whole or partial closing oh his business establishment in order to gain concession from employees.

3) Definition of Lockout 

          Section 2(1) of the Industrial Dispute Act,1947 defines Lockout -  “Lock-out” means the temporary closing of a place of employment, or the suspension of work, or the refusal by an employer to continue to employ any number of persons employed by him.

4) Essentials of Lockout 

     To constitute Lockout, the Following conditions are to be satisfied. 

(a) (i) Temporary closing of a place of employment by the employer or


      (ii) or the suspension of work by the employer, or

      (iii) refusal by an employer to continue to employ any number of persons employed by him.

(b) All above mentioned acts of the employer should be motivated by coercion;

(c) An Industry as defined in the Act ( Section 2(j) of The Industrial Dispute Act 1947 defines  Industry - “Industry” means any business, trade, undertaking, manufacture or calling of employers and includes any calling, service, employment, handicraft, or industrial occupation or avocation of workmen); and

(d) A Dispute in such industry

5) Difference Between Lockout and Layoff 

6) Difference between Lockout and Closure

7) Difference between Strike and Lock-out