Axis Bank’s new workplace rules w.e.f from May 18

People desperately want normalcy in their lives, just as it was in the pre-lockdown era. This includes getting back to office. However, organisations are not rushing towards it. They want people to come to offices, but in a staggered manner. That is why, Axis Bank has derived the 2D-3D-5D model to get people back to the office, and also create a workplace without boundaries.

This means, people will work from offices for two, three and five days a week. However, this will happen only from July 15 onwards.

Rajkamal Vempati, head-HR, Axis Bank, shares with HRKatha, “One of the critical barriers to work remote or work from home could be the loss of a physical social network and socialisation that helps us break away from the usual monotony of our daily workload. The informal interactions, corridor conversations – all foster creativity and act as a secret glue to cross functional / cross team collaboration.”

Vempati shares that Axis Bank is working on a hybrid model, where not everyone will be working from home or office. “We are designating days in a week when they can come to the office, but with utmost precaution.”

Until May 17, Axis Bank will continue to follow the work-from-home mandate.

Once the lockdown is lifted, Axis Bank plans to start work from office in three phases, based on the situation and the guidelines from the Government. Timelines will be reviewed week-on-week as per the district and zone-wise plan announced by the Government and will be communicated by the department heads.

Here is how the three phases have been designed:

Phase I (May 18-31)

In this phase, only 10 per cent of the employees working from large offices, will be allowed through a roster. Rostering for branches, asset centres and operations will be advised by department heads, based on the evolving situation.

Phase II (June 1- July 15)

In the next phase, 30 per cent of the employees working from large offices through a roster, will be allowed. Regional managers and sales executives will continue to engage with customers, as advised by department heads.

Phase III (July 15 onwards)

In the last phase, only 60 per cent of the employees will be allowed to work from large offices, at any given time. Employees in branches, asset centres and operations will be advised by the department heads, depending on the situation. The 2D-3D-5D model will be rolled out in this phase, which means employees will be working from offices for two days, 3 days and five days.

“One of the critical barriers to work remote or work from home could be the loss of a physical social network and socialisation that helps us break away from the usual monotony of our daily workload. The informal interactions, corridor conversations – all foster creativity and act as a secret glue to cross functional / cross team collaboration.”

As per the new work module, three types of employees will continue to work from home, even after the lockdown is lifted. First, employees who are over 55 years of age or have an existing chronic medical condition. Second, employees who are pregnant or have children aged five years or below and third, employees who have elderly dependents at home.

It will also be compulsory for all employees to download the Aarogya Setu App and check health on the app before starting for work.

Additionally, employees will have to download the ‘One Axis App’ too, which will allow them to reserve a desk in large offices. From Phase III onwards, employees will be required to reserve a desk before coming to work.

Axis Bank has also set up new rules for those who come to office. For instance, wearing a mask will be compulsory for all employees. Employees will have to wash hands after every two hours or after any customer interaction. Cafeteria timings will be staggered and employees will have to carry their own cutlery. Tea and smoke breaks will have designated zones and employees will not be allowed to venture out of office premises.

The Bank will also follow a chessboard seating, which means alternate seating in the office to maintain social distancing. In addition, no more than two or four employees will be allowed inside an elevator at any time. Everyone will have to use their elbow to press lift buttons. Employees will be required to drive to work alone, and for that the Bank will arrange for parking spaces in the large offices.

The Bank has also framed certain guidelines for those working from home. For instance, syncing calendars with the team’s working hours and blocking calendars for work. These staff members will have to respect scheduled meetings and be on time, and also stay connected with their team across channels — e-mail, MS Teams, phone calls and WhatsApp— even if they choose to take the day off when they need it, especially in case of personal exigencies.

The organisation has also introduced a silent hour, which is a dedicated one-hour dial-out time for all virtual working employees for lunch or any other personal activities that need attention. No one will reach out to them during this time.

That is not all. Axis Bank has also launched the One Axis Learning Academy under which, employees will have to enrol for a 15-minute e-learning module – ‘New Ways to Work’. Employees will have to login to the OneAxis App and complete the certification, before they can resume work at offices post lifting of lockdown.