INDIA NIGHT SHIFT HANDBOOK (IT and CIS)

(V 1.3)
Contents

1. Why.................................................................................................................... 3

2. Who ................................................................................................................... 3

3. What .................................................................................................................. 3

4. How.................................................................................................................... 4

5. Responsibilities ..................................................................................................... 4

6. Exceptions ........................................................................................................... 4

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1. Why
Designed to monetarily compensate you for working in shifts that falls outside Cognizant’s standard
working hours

2. Who
The policy covers all full-time IT and CIS associates including trainees, on the rolls of Cognizant, India.

3. What
A. Definition
 Night Shift: Shift time where the associate is required to be at office for at least three hours
between 10.00 p.m. and 08.00 a.m.

 Shift: Associate is scheduled to be at office, but is not within the standard work hours of
Cognizant. This is limited to the accumulated 40 hours of work in a week.

 Standard Working hours at Cognizant: 09.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Monday to Friday

 Weekly Off: Any two calendar days between a 7-day week where the associate is not expected to
be at work.
B. Entitlements

 Applicable to associates who are allocated to delivery projects and scheduled to work in shifts for
at least three hours between 10.00 p.m. and 08.00 a.m in the below scenarios only:
1. The night shift is billed to the customer (stated in Masters Service Agreement – MSA)

2. The night shift is not billable, but is mandated by specific customer needs and has prior
approval of the Client & Delivery director

3. The night shift is not billable, but is necessitated by internal needs and has the prior
approval of the Delivery director & Ops lead along with Business justification

 You will be paid Rs.300 for every night shift at office.

 The allowance is paid on a monthly basis through the regular payroll and is subject to income tax
deductions.
Note
o The allowance will not be applicable for ad hoc (unplanned) instances such as working late or
starting work early.
o You are encouraged to use Cognizant provided transport to commute to work for night shifts,
to ensure your safety.
o Exceptions limited to backdating night shift for up to a month have to be approved by the
Delivery Director and BU Head of the project.

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4. How
a. The Reporting Manager informs you that you will be scheduled for a night shift and submits the
payroll advice within the stipulated date for processing.
Note

 The advice made by the Reporting Manager should be approved by the Delivery Director.

 The Delivery Director is responsible for the project against which the cost will be incurred.
b. The HR Shared Services (HRSS) team processes the input and sends the advice to the Finance Team
for payment.

5. Responsibilities
 Managers
o Allocate associates to the correct pre-approved project.
o Schedule and inform the associate at least 72 hours in advance to allow associates to plan their
personal time.
o Send a payroll advice to HRSS within prescribed timelines.

 Associates
o Ensure contact information is up to date in the respective Cognizant systems.

 Delivery Directors
o Review and approve the advice submitted by the Reporting Manager for payroll processing.

6. Exceptions
 The benefits of this policy are governed by the terms and conditions of employment in practice at
Cognizant. This is subject to change from time to time. Cognizant reserves the right to amend its
policies as necessitated. All statutory requirements are applicable as mandated by law.
 All exceptions to this will be directed to HR India Benefits.

Night Shift Policy

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