Remote Work Policy
1. Objective
The purpose of this policy is to set guidelines for employees while working from home.
2. Scope
This policy applies to employees who are permitted to work in a home office. The consideration
for remote work requires a written recommendation from the direct supervisor and shall be
finalized by the Head of Department and HR.
3. Policy Guidelines
• Compliance with Policies and Procedures: Employees remain obligated to comply with all
company rules, practices and instructions as outlined in the HR Policy manual.
• Workspace Expectations o Remote work shall only be performed from the employee’s
primary residence and employees are required to:
Designate a workspace that is quiet and distraction free.
Workspace that is dedicated for placement and installation of equipment to be used
while teleworking.
Maintain this workspace in a safe condition, free from hazards and other dangers to
the employee and equipment.
The company shall not be responsible for costs associated with the setup of the
employee's home office, such as remodeling, furniture or lighting, nor for repairs or
modifications to the home office space. o Employee is expected to submit three photos
of the home workspace to management prior to implementation wherever feasible.
o Schedule: A general schedule must be communicated to the employee and agreed to by
the direct supervisor. Deviations from that schedule if any, should be immediately
communicated to the supervisor.
o Attendance: The employee must adhere to attendance and break schedules as agreed
upon with their manager and in compliance with the company policy. o Performance
objectives: The Supervisor is encouraged to submit a formal work plan for the employee
working remotely. The plan will identify and outline areas of responsibilities, daily tasks
and measurable long term objectives and short terms goals. For agent staff, the
performance reports must be published on a daily basis.
o Availability and Communication: Employees undertaking remote work must be logged
into the company’s communication platform each day to ensure that they are accessible
and can easily participate with their team members. Employees must be available by
phone, email, Microsoft Teams or any other login id (if client specified) during scheduled
shift hours including web cam viewing (if mandated only) and also be present for staff
meetings, if required. Any exceptions shall require prior permission from the direct
supervisor.
1
o Role of Supervisor: The Supervisor shall ensure that the employee is working in
accordance with the Remote Work Policy, review and sign-off on records of hours worked
(timesheets) as and when required, monitor and review the Remote Work Policy
agreement on a regular basis and schedule communication meetings including methods
of disseminating information to employees who are working from home.
• IT Security and Protocols
Computers/ laptops can provide access to information resources both internal and external to
the company’s networks. To ensure this information is handled responsibly, employees are
expected to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the systems and related physical
resources, and observe all relevant laws, requirements and regulations. The company has
stringent IT and data protection policies and procedures in place and expects employees
working from home to be cognizant of the fact that all policies and processes are adhered to
as is done in the physical contact center or the client’s environment. Employees are expected
to work with integrity, to follow all policies, including, but not limited to, data security, IT policies
and processes, code of conduct etc. and understand that they are responsible for the usage
of the applications, information and system so that data will be protected from unauthorized
disclosure, use, modification, and deletion. Apart from above, the following guidelines are
applicable to employees who are permitted to work in a home office:
o If Equipment is provided by the Company: In case the company provides equipment that
is essential to the employee’s job duties for remote work, then the list of such equipment
shall be notified to relevant stakeholders. Such equipment will be purely company property
and employees must keep it safe and avoid any misuse by adhering to the below guidelines:
- Keep equipment password protected.
- Store equipment in a safe and clean space when not in use.
- Follow all data encryption, protection standards and settings.
- Refrain from downloading suspicious, unauthorized or illegal software.
- Make sure to always lock the system when taking a break.
- Comply with the terms of computer software license and copyright agreements, computer
virus and protection requirements and procedures.
- The company reserves the right at any time, with or without prior notice or permission
from the user or users of a computer or other company-owned computing device, to seize
such device and/or copy, any and all information from the data storage mechanisms of
such device as may be required in the sole discretion of the company in connection with
investigations of possible wrongdoing or legal action.
o If employee uses his own Equipment: The employee can use his/ her own equipment for
remote work as deemed appropriate by the organization. This may include Computer
System, Internet Bandwidth, Web Camera (not a mandatory requirement unless specified),
USB or 3.5mm Headset with Microphone or any other device as mandated by the
organization. However the company accepts no responsibility for damage or repairs to
employee-owned equipment. Privately owned devices connected to the company network
can be subject to inspection by authorized company personnel in connection with
investigations of possible wrongdoing or legal action.
2
o The company also reserves the right to make on-site visits to the remote work location (only
if need be) for purposes of determining compliance with the rules set forth herein and to
maintain, or retrieve company-owned equipment, software, data or supplies.
o Employee should use only the computer accounts and workspace authorized by the
company. Use of another person's account, identity, security devices/tokens, or
presentment of false or misleading information or credentials, or unauthorized use of
information systems/services is prohibited. o Employees are responsible for usage of
information systems conducted under their user ID(s) and are expected to take all
precautions including password security and file protection measures to prevent use of their
accounts and files by unauthorized persons/entities. Sharing of passwords or other access
tokens with others is prohibited.
o To protect access to information systems against unauthorized or improper use, and to
protect authorized users from the effects of unauthorized or improper usage, the company
has the right with or without notice, to monitor, record, limit or restrict any user account,
access and/or usage of account. The company may also monitor, record, inspect, copy,
remove or otherwise alter any data, file, or system resources in its sole discretion. The
company further has the right to periodically inspect systems and take any other actions
necessary to protect its information systems including monitoring employee keystrokes. The
company also has access rights to all files and electronic mail on its terminal systems.
o The company reserves the right to reject from the network or block electronic
communications and content deemed not to be in compliance with this or other policies
governing use of company’s information systems. o In addition to the above, for employees
working from home, the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) available with IT shall be followed for
all IT assets (whether owned by company or individual) wherein employees shall agree to
the terms and conditions outlined in the AUP policy document by signing on it. The AUP
establishes appropriate safeguards and requirements in connection with the delivery of
services while working from a designated home office location, including safeguards to
ensure individuals are not able to overhear conversations of employee, physical security of
assigned IT equipment, and non-personal use of assigned IT equipment. The employee
shall be personally responsible for compliance of AUP and shall be subject to disciplinary
action in case of violation as per policy.
o All employees are expected to sign the ‘Declaration and Acknowledgement – Work from
Home (Equipment provided by the Company)’ outlined vide Annexure I or ‘Declaration and
Acknowledgment – Work from Home (Equipment owned by the Employee)’ outlined vide
Annexure II as the case may be.
• Home Safety: It is expected that the employee’s workspace at home must meet the following
standards: o Temperature, ventilation, lighting, and noise levels are adequate for maintaining
a home office.
o Electrical equipment is free of recognized hazards that would cause physical harm (frayed,
exposed, or loose wires; loose fixtures, bare conductors, etc.).
o Electrical system allows for grounding of electrical equipment (three-prong receptacles).
o The home workspace (including doorways) is free of obstructions to permit visibility and
movement. o Phones lines, electrical cords, and surge protectors are secured under a
desk or alongside a baseboard.
3
o The home workspace should be free of combustibles, floors are in good repair, and
carpets are well secured.
4. Employees who leave the company are obligated to return any confidential files and equipment
back to the company. The equipment shall be in the same condition as at the time of issuance.
The IT team shall inspect the equipment and recovery, if any for repairmen, shall be charged to
the employee at the time of clearance and full and final settlement.
5. Consequences of Policy Violation
Any unauthorized, inappropriate, illegal or other use of company’s information systems or failure
to comply with this policy shall subject the violator to disciplinary action by the company, including,
but not limited to, termination of employment and criminal prosecution.
6. The company reserves the right to revise all or any portion of this policy at any time and from time
to time in its sole discretion, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations.
7. Any deviation in the policy shall need approval of the Global CPO.
4
Annexure I
Declaration and Acknowledgement – Work from Home (Equipment provided by the
Company)
I acknowledge that the company has issued the following “Equipment” to me for my exclusive use
for work-related functions at my home office:
Sr. Equipment Description
No.
In consideration of the issuance of the Equipment to me, I hereby agree that:
• The Equipment remains the Company’s property at all times.
• I will maintain the Equipment to the best of my ability and will immediately report any/all
malfunctions, loss, damage, etc. to my supervisor and/or relevant Information Technology (IT)
representative.
• I will return the Equipment to the Company on the earlier of (a) the Company’s request or (b)
the date I separate from the Company’s employment.
• The company reserves the right at any time, with or without my prior notice or permission to
seize such device and/or copy, any and all information from the data storage mechanisms of
such device as may be required in connection with investigations of possible wrongdoing or
legal action.
• I shall comply with the ‘Acceptable Use Policy’ outlined and available with IT and the ‘Remote
Work Policy’ in the HR policy manual at all times during my work from home tenure.
By signing below, I understand and agree that, in the event the Equipment becomes lost or
damaged, or I fail to return the Equipment to the Company, within three (3) business days of the
Company’s request or in the event of my separation, the Company may deduct from my
compensation (including, without limitation, paychecks including final paycheck, bonuses,
expense reimbursement payments, commissions, wages, salary, profit share, and any other
monies to be paid to me by the Company), to the extent permitted by law, the amount necessary
to recover the value of the Equipment. I also understand and agree that I will be responsible for
repayment of any amount that remains unpaid after any such deductions. I further agree that if I
fail to repay the amount owed, the Company may move to collect such amount, plus interest and
reasonable and necessary attorney fees, in a court of competent jurisdiction.
I further understand and agree that nothing herein constitutes a guarantee of ongoing employment
and my employment with the Company remains at-will, meaning that it is subject to termination
by me or the Company, with or without cause, with or without notice, at any time, unless I have a
separate employment agreement with the Company that states otherwise.
5
Employee's Signature:
Employee's Name: Vikash Guha
Date: 13/04/2023
Annexure II
Declaration and Acknowledgement – Work From Home (Equipment owned by the
Employee)
I hereby agree and give my consent to use the following in adherence to the remote work policy:
• My own personal space for home office and equipment set up.
• Personally owned devices to connect to company network and services and meet business
needs of the organization. These devices may include Computer/ Laptop System, Internet
Bandwidth, Web Camera (only if specified), USB or 3.5mm Headset with Microphone or any
other device as specified by the organization.
• The type of device, the operating system, firmware and configurations for connectivity to the
organization network from the personally owned device shall be approved by IT.
• I shall refrain from uploading any personal data / information through own device on the
company network/ server storage.
• Privately owned devices connected to the company network can be subject to inspection by
authorized company personnel in connection with investigations of possible wrongdoing or
legal action.
• In the event of my separation from the company, connectivity shall be de-activated on the close
of my last working day.
• I shall comply with the ‘Acceptable Use Policy’ outlined and available with IT and the ‘Remote
Work Policy’ in the HR policy manual at all times during my work from home tenure.
By signing below, I understand and agree that, I shall be responsible for ensuring safety and
security of my own device, even when not in use. The organization shall not be responsible for
technical support or loss due to theft or damage of the personally owned device. Lost or stolen
device shall be reported immediately to my supervisor and IT team so that organizational
information, if any that resides on the device can be wiped out remotely.
I further understand and agree that nothing herein constitutes a guarantee of ongoing employment
and my employment with the Company remains at-will, meaning that it is subject to termination
by me or the Company, with or without cause, with or without notice, at any time, unless I have a
separate employment agreement with the Company that states otherwise.
6
Employee's Signature:
Employee's Name: Vikash Guha
Date: 13/04/2023