Our Employee Code of Conduct company policy outlines our expectations regarding employees’ behavior towards their colleagues, supervisors, clients and overall organization. We promote freedom of expression and open communication. But we expect all employees to follow our code of conduct. They should avoid offending, participating in serious disputes and disrupting our workplace. We also expect them to foster a well-organized, respectful and collaborative environment.

Scope

This policy applies to all our employees regardless of employment agreement or rank.

1. Compliance with law

All employees must protect our company’s legality. They should comply with all environmental, safety and fair dealing laws. We expect employees to be ethical and responsible when dealing with our company’s finances, products, partnerships and public image.

2. Employee Grievances and resolution

We acknowledge the importance of offering employees a means to resolve their grievances in cases where their immediate supervisors or the HR team at their office locations are unable to address them.

To cater to this, Cogent has established multiple channels through the Employee Management System (EMS) for issue resolution. Management contacts and a helpline (Happy to Help) are accessible to all employees, and they are strongly encouraged to utilize these resources.

Engaging in actions that aim to tarnish the company's image deliberately and with malicious intent, such as raising issues on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or similar platforms, or seeking assistance from client management without following internal channels, is considered unnecessary and avoidable. The company views such behavior as detrimental to its reputation and reserves the right to take disciplinary action against individuals who engage in such activities.

3. Respect in the workplace

All employees should respect their colleagues. We won’t allow any kind of discriminatory behavior, harassment or victimization. This includes any harassment in workplace including Sexual Harassment – refer to our POSH guidelines. Employees should conform with our equal opportunity policy in all aspects of their work, from recruitment and performance evaluation to interpersonal relations.

4. Job duties and authority

All employees should fulfil their job duties with integrity and respect toward customers, stakeholders and the community.

We don’t tolerate malicious, deceitful or petty conduct for e.g. data manipulation, fraudulent activity on customer accounts etc. These are huge red flags and, if you’re discovered, you may face progressive discipline or immediate termination / criminal prosecution, depending on the severity of the issue.

Working under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or consuming alcohol or drugs during hours of work, including paid and unpaid breaks, is unacceptable behavior. Employees found in possession of illegal drugs or using illegal drugs while at work will be reported to the police and their employment terminated with immediate effect.

5. Company asset

Employee shouldn’t misuse company equipment or use it frivolously. A company asset provided to the employee in office or at a remote / home location must be maintained properly and returned in good working condition on due completion of the assignment / project. Failure to do so may lead to financial recovery or legal action.

Should respect all kinds of incorporeal property. This includes trademarks, copyright and other property (information, reports etc.) Employees should use them only to complete their job duties.

6. Absenteeism and tardiness

Employees should follow their schedules. We expect employees to be punctual when coming to and leaving from work.

7. Conflict of interest

We expect employees to avoid any personal, financial or other interests that might hinder their capability or willingness to perform their job duties.

8. Dual Employment

To ensure that employees provide their full time and energy to their current job, Cogent does not permit dual employment. An employee must be formally relieved of his / her services with their previous employer before taking up any employment opportunity with Cogent. Failure to do so may lead to immediate termination of employment.

EMPLOYEE DECLARATION

I , do hereby declare that I have fully read and understood the Code of Conduct policy of Cogent E Services and agree to comply with the same. I understand that any non-compliance to the above policies may lead to disciplinary sanctions that can include up to termination of employment and even criminal prosecution under applicable laws.