synthetic_policies/remote_work_policy.md

HR-POL-003: Remote Work Policy

Effective Date: 2025-02-15 Revision: 1.1 Owner: Human Resources

1. Purpose and Philosophy

This policy defines the guidelines and expectations for employees working remotely. Innovate Inc. supports remote work as a way to provide flexibility and attract top talent, while ensuring continued productivity, collaboration, and security.

2. Eligibility and Approval

• Eligibility: Employees must have been with the company for at least 6 months in good standing. The employee's role must be deemed suitable for remote work by their department head.
• Approval Process: Employees must submit a formal remote work proposal to their manager. If the manager approves, the proposal is reviewed by the department head. A formal remote work agreement must be signed upon final approval.
• Trial Period: All new remote work arrangements are subject to a 90-day trial period to ensure the arrangement is successful for both the employee and the company.

3. Equipment and Technology

• Company-Provided Equipment: The company will provide a laptop, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other necessary peripherals. All company equipment remains the property of Innovate Inc. and must be returned upon termination of the remote work agreement.
• Internet: Employees are responsible for maintaining a reliable, high-speed internet connection sufficient for video conferencing and other work-related tasks. A monthly stipend of $50 is provided to offset this cost.
• Home Office Setup: Employees are responsible for maintaining a safe and ergonomic home workspace.
• Security: All work must be conducted on a secure, password-protected network. Use of a company-provided VPN is mandatory when accessing internal systems. All security protocols outlined in the Information Security Policy (SEC-POL-011) must be followed.

4. Work Hours, Performance, and Communication

• Core Hours: Remote employees are expected to be available and online during core business hours of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in their local time zone.
• Performance Expectations: Performance for remote employees is measured by the same standards as in-office employees. Emphasis is placed on results and meeting goals.
• Communication: Regular communication with team members and managers is critical. Remote employees are expected to be responsive on Slack and email during work hours and to attend all scheduled video calls with their camera on.

5. On-Site Requirement

• Remote employees may be required to travel to the main office for quarterly planning sessions, team-building events, or other key meetings.
• Travel expenses for such required trips will be covered as per the Corporate Travel Policy (FIN-POL-015).
• The frequency of on-site visits will be determined by the department head and may vary by role.

6. Revocation of Remote Work Arrangement

The company reserves the right to revoke a remote work arrangement at any time for reasons including, but not limited to, performance issues, changing business needs, or failure to comply with this policy. A notice period of at least 30 days will generally be provided.

7. Related Policies

• Information Security Policy (SEC-POL-011)
• Corporate Travel Policy (FIN-POL-015)
• Employee Handbook (HR-POL-001)

8. Revision History

• v1.1 (2025-10-12): Added details on approval process, trial period, and performance expectations.
• v1.0 (2025-02-15): Initial version.