Our Sustainability Journey
Employee Handbook
Chapter 1
THEY welcome you
Chapter 2
THEY have values
Chapter 3
THEY have a history
Chapter 4
What do THEY do
Chapter 5
How THEY conduct themselves
Chapter 6
How THEY work internally
Chapter 7
THEY have benefits and perks
Chapter 8
Sustainability at THEY
Chapter 9
Social and environmental initiatives
Chapter 10
THEY have a future
Chapter 11
THEY have policies
Chapter 12
Appendix

How THEY work internally

Our approach is centered around empowering our team members, promoting continuous learning, and prioritising work-life balance. Here are some key principles that define our organisational culture:

A. THEY is a self-steering team

We champion a unique self-steering team approach. Straying from traditional hierarchies, our collaborative efforts thrive without the need for conventional managers. Each team member takes full ownership of their responsibilities, contributing their unique skills and perspectives to drive collective success. 

For example, let say an employee receives a task on a project. They discuss the scope and timelines for the task with the Project Manager. After they start working, they will not be asked to provide multiple updates during the day. We trust that our employees will take full-ownership of their tasks and deliver as per the agreed timelines — so there is no micro-management involved. 

However, the employees should always reach out to the Project Manager or their colleagues if they need any support to meet their timelines. If, for some reason, an employee needs more time to deliver the work, they should inform the Project Manager in advance so we can manage client expectations better. Additionally, if a task requires an employee to closely collaborate with another team member, they must keep him or her in the loop throughout, so the outcome is well-aligned and meets expectations of all stakeholders involved.    

B. THEY wear multiple hats

We encourage our employees to not only focus on their designated responsibilities but also embrace tasks outside their core skill set. This promotes professional growth and offers diverse opportunities to challenge ourselves, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. By stepping out of comfort zones and exploring new areas, our team members expand their expertise and develop a well-rounded skill set.

For instance, if an employee is initially hired as a Presentation Designer but later develop an interest in other work areas, such as content writing or video editing, the company will encourage and support them. We also provide our team members with additional trainings (both online and offline), helping them acquire the skills needed to contribute in areas of their choice. Most of our employees are already cross-trained in different skills, making us a stronger, more versatile team. 

C. THEY promote work-life balance

Remote work policy 

Our remote work policy is designed to help our team members maintain a healthy work-life balance. We understand that the flexibility to work from anywhere fosters greater well-being, allowing individuals to invest time in their personal lives, families, and communities. This approach not only supports better mental and physical health but also empowers our team to create workspaces that boost productivity and focus. 

Note:

  • Although we are a remote-first company, we still need employees to travel to our Delhi office or our client offices once or twice every week, to ensure seamless coordination with all stakeholders. 
  • During some critical projects, there maybe a few days or weeks where employees will be required to travel more frequently. At times, all 5 days per week. We expect our employees to remain flexible during these times. 

36-hour work week

As part of our commitment to promoting work-life balance, we encourage a 36-hour work week whenever possible. Our legal contracts clearly mention this as well. We believe this even-handed approach to work fosters greater creativity, productivity, and job satisfaction.  

Note:

  • There could be some weeks during the year which will be more busier than the rest. In those weeks, employees maybe needed to stretch a little bit and invest more hours. 
  • There are no fixed hours to follow. Everyone at THEY has the flexibility to choose their work hours inline with their preferred schedules but also aligned with their work commitments. 

For instance, Employee A prefers working during the day due to family commitments, starting at 10:00 am and finishing at 6:00 pm. This works well for us. Another team member likes to work in patches, starting the day around noon, working until 4:00 pm, and then taking a break before resuming in the evening and wrapping up around 11:00 pm. We are fine with that too. As long as we are mindful of our work commitments and it does not affect our ability to attend client calls or team meetings, we are good. 

There could also be a scenario where employees need to adjust their working hours inline with their work commitments. For example, during a particular week, an employee might need to collaborate closely with a client’s team in Europe. In this case, they will need to align themselves with the European time zone. In any case, we recommend that employees should always inform their team about any major changes in their regular work schedule, whether it is because of a work-related commitment or something personal. 

D. THEY check-in weekly

We stay connected through weekly meetings, promoting transparency and collaboration. These meetings serve as a vital platform to discuss individual and team priorities, ensuring effective work management and planning. This consistent communication ensures our teams in Delhi and the Netherlands remain aligned, informed, and engaged, and we stay on track across all our projects.

E. THEY values employee participation

We believe that our employees' insights and experiences are invaluable when shaping company policies and making strategic decisions. We actively encourage participation and feedback from all team members to ensure that our decisions reflect the diverse perspectives within the organization. Whether we're revising policies or implementing major changes, we welcome and value the input of every employee. 

F. Tools and communication channels

We leverage a carefully selected set of tools and communication channels to foster seamless collaboration, ensuring that our team stays connected and our work thrives. Here's a glimpse into the essential tools that form the backbone of our communication infrastructure:

Harvest: Our time management tool, Harvest, helps us stay organised and efficient in tracking and managing our work hours. It fosters transparency and accountability, enabling us to deliver exceptional results within set timelines.

iCloud: As the hub for file storage, iCloud is where we securely store and share our files, documents, and media assets. This ensures that everyone has access to the latest documents and resources whenever they need it, streamlining our communication efforts and enhancing productivity across teams. 

WhatsApp: Serving as our internal communication channel, WhatsApp facilitates quick and direct messaging within the team. It enables our team members to engage in real-time discussions, share updates, and coordinate tasks seamlessly, and stay connected wherever they are. 

Skype: For internal video conferences, Skype provides a reliable platform for face-to-face interactions within our team. It provides a virtual environment that encourages open communication and productive discussions. 

Teams: When it comes to video meetings with the clients, ‘Teams’ becomes our go-to channel. It provides a professional and secure environment for real-time discussions, virtual meetings, and remote presentations, fostering collaboration with our clients.  

Calendar: A shared iCal calendar allows us to seamlessly coordinate schedules and view the availability of our team members, enhancing our daily and weekly planning processes. It makes it easy to schedule meetings and and allocate tasks based on everyone's availability.

These tools collectively empower our team to navigate the complexities of our creative endeavours efficiently.