Applause Policy

Confidential and proprietary.
For limited distribution and not for use outside of the Company.
Document Release Note
This guideline on Applause (Reward & Recognition) is released for use in Tata Communication Limited and its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries globally with effect from 26th March 2020.

In the event of any conflict between local laws and this document, the local legal requirements will prevail.

This document version supersedes any other policy regarding Applause
Talent Management & Employee Engagement - Human Resources
© Tata Communications 2020. All rights reserved.

The Applause Program is designed to encourage timely, personalized, and meaningful recognition to fellow team members.
Introduction
We at Tata Communications believe that flexibility and responsiveness in everything we do is critical to our long-term success. These awards aim to recognize and reward outstanding individuals and teams who have gone beyond their role requirements and have taken initiatives that have had a positive impact on Tata Communications short term and long-term growth objectives.
Purpose
  • Promote and embed DRIVE behaviours in the company culture by instantly recognizing employees who display the same and encourage others to adopt.
  • Provide Tata Communications and its subsidiaries across the globe with a common framework for appreciation and flexibility to drive consistency and apply according to their local needs.
  • Focus on continuous appreciation and make it exciting and flexible to further promote peer to peer and cross functional/regional recognition to improve the overall engagement.
  • Align with our overall Talent Management strategy of Tata Communications (Performance Management, Talent Pipeline and top-level business imperatives).
Scope
  • This policy is applicable to all the employees on the rolls of Tata Communications its subsidiaries across the globe. All contractors, consultants and temporary workers under contract with TCL or any of its subsidiaries or parent company are not eligible to be nominated.
Applause Program Framework
The Applause program is based on DRIVE: Daring, Responsive, Inclusive, Venturing and Ethical.
Award Categories
There are three award levels in our new recognition framework. Each award level has multiple monetary awards as mentioned below:
Level 1 - Making a difference Level 2 - Above and Beyond Level 3 - CEO Recognition
1. Hi 5
2. Bravo 		1. Team Triumph
2. Xtra Mile
3. Blue Ribbon
4. Whatever it takes
5. ACE
6. Standing Ovation
7. Partner & Progress
 1. Pro-club
Apart from these monetary awards, there are Appreciation e-Cards which are available for all employees and one can use them as often as required. No approval/ nomination is required for recognizing through these cards (Thank You, Welcome, Congratulations, Teamwork & Collaboration, and Ownership & Accountability).
Monetary Awards Award Value Equivalency TCL TCTSL
Eligible to Give Approval's Required Eligible to Give Approval's Required
Making A Difference Thank You 0 All None All None
Welcome 0 All None All None
Congratualtions 0 All None All None
Teamwork & Collaboration 0 All None All None
Ownership & Accountability 0 All None All None
Hi5 500 INR Manager & Above None Manager & Above None
Bravo 1000 INR Manager L1 Manager Sr Manager L1 Manager
Sr Manager & Above None DGM & above None
Above & Beyond Team Triumph 2000 INR GM L1 Manager GM L1 Manager
AVP & Above None AVP & Above None
Xtra Mile 2500 INR Sr Manager L1 Manager DGM L1 Manager
DGM & Above None GM & Above None
Blue Ribbon 5000 INR DGM L1 Manager GM & Above None
GM & Above None
Whatever it takes 7500 INR DGM L1 Manager GM/ AVP L1 Manager
GM & Above None VP & Above None
ACE 10000 INR GM/ AVP L1 Manager GM/ AVP L1 Manager
VP & Above None VP & Above None
Standing Ovation 15000 INR GM/ AVP L1 Manager GM/ AVP L1 Manager
VP & Above None VP & Above None
Partner & Progress 25000 INR GM & Above L1 Manager + GMC GM & Above L1 Manager + GMC

Summary of Awards eligibility at different levels is given below:

Level 1 –Making a Difference
1 Thank you / Welcome/ Congratulations/ Teamwork & Collaboration/ Ownership & Accountability e-Card
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Demonstration of any DRIVE behavior at least once
Nomination Any Employee Any Employee
Approval Nil Nil
Award e-Card e-Card
2 Hi5
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Frequent demonstration of DRIVE behaviours
Nomination Manager & Above
(B3 – 2 & Above)		 Manager & Above
(B3 – 2 & Above)
Approval None None
Award 500 INR 500 INR
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, approx. 3 percent of the team size during a given month can be awarded.
3 Bravo
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Consistent demonstration of DRIVE behaviours.
Nomination Manager
(B3 – 2)		 Sr. Manager & Above
(B4 – 1)		 Sr. Manager
(B4 – 1 & Above)		 DGM & Above
(B4 – 2 & above)
Approval L1 Manager None L1 Manager None
Award 1000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate 1000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, approx. 2 to 3 percent of the team size during a given month can be awarded
Level 2 – Above & Beyond
4 Team Triumph
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Demonstration of DRIVE behaviours leading to positive impact on performance by a Team
Nomination GM
(B5 – 1) 		AVP & Above
(B6 – 1 & above)		 GM
(B5 – 1) 		AVP & Above
(B6 – 1 & Above)
Approval L1 Manager None L1 Manager None
Award 2000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate 2000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, up to 3 percent of the team size during a given quarter can be awarded
5 Xtra Mile
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Consistent demonstration of DRIVE behaviours leading to positive impact on performance.
Nomination Sr. Manager
(B4 – 1) 		DGM & Above
(B4 – 2 & above)		 DGM
(B4 – 2) 		GM & Above
(B5 – 1 & Above)
Approval L1 Manager None L1 Manager None
Award 2500 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate 2500 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, up to 2 percent of the team size during a given month can be awarded
6 Blue Ribbon
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Consistent demonstration of DRIVE behaviours leading to team excellence.
Nomination DGM
(B4 – 2) 		GM & Above
(B5 – 1 & above)		 GM & Above
(B5 – 1 & above)
Approval L1 Manager None L1 Manager None
Award 5000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate 5000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, up to 2 percent of the team size during a given month can be awarded.
7 Whatever It Takes
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Consistent demonstration of DRIVE behaviours leading to superior customer service.
Nomination DGM
(B4 – 2) 		GM & Above
(B5 – 1 & above)		 GM/ AVP
(B5 – 1/ B6 - 1) 		VP & Above
(B7 – 1 & above)
Approval L1 Manager None L1 Manager None
Award 7500 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate 7500 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, up to 2 percent of the team size during a given month can be awarded
8 ACE
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Embodying the DRIVE essence and being role models for other employees to emulate leading to significant impact on function’s performance and business improvement.
Nomination GM/ AVP
(B5 – 1/ B6 - 1) 		VP & Above
(B7 – 1 & above)		 GM/ AVP
(B5 – 1/ B6 - 1) 		VP & Above
(B7 – 1 & above)
Approval L1 Manager None L1 Manager None
Award 10000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate 10000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, 2 to 3 percent of the team size per quarter can be awarded.
9 Standing Ovation
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Consistently embodying the DRIVE essence and being role models for other employees to emulate leading to significant impact on performance or exceptional customer feedback.
Nomination GM/ AVP
(B5 – 1/ B6 - 1) 		VP & Above
(B7 – 1 & above)		 GM/ AVP
(B5 – 1/ B6 -1) 		VP & Above
(B7 – 1 & above)
Approval L1 Manager None L1 Manager None
Award 15000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate 15000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, 2 to 3 percent of the team size per quarter can be awarded.
10 Partner & Progress
TCL TCTSL
Selection Criteria Outstanding contribution of the cross functional team through consistent exhibition of DRIVE behaviours leading to significant achievement or exceptional customer feedback.
Nomination GM & Above
(B5 – 1 & Above) 		GM & Above
(B5 – 1 & Above)
Approval L1 Manager + GMC L1 Manager + GMC
Award 25000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate 25000 INR Voucher/gift coupon* + Digital certificate
Budget Guideline There is no fixed number of nominations during the year. However, 1 to 1.5 percent of the team size per quarter can be awarded.
Level 3- CEO Recognition
Pro-Club
Pro-club is our highest/most prestigious employee recognition award and it’s only given to the best at Tata Communications. A Pro-club winner is someone who has exceeded expectations, displayed outstanding performance consistently and achieved spectacular results. It is designed to acknowledge and reward exceptional performers.
Selection Criteria Sustained demonstration of DRIVE behaviours and outstanding contribution to the business through

Consistently achieves high performance standards
Customer centricity (internal / external customer)
Innovation drive
Ambitious & competitive

The achievement must be in line with the corporate imperatives
Nominations must be made using the nomination form. The form should be duly filled with very specific details of the initiatives and results.
Nomination By BU/SS head
Approval CEO and GMC members
Award
  • Trip (with a guest) to an exotic location for 3 - 4 days
  • Winners will be announced at a ceremony by the CEO & GMC members
  • The names of such winners in the company newsletters with a brief write-up on their achievements
Applause Process Details
  • The above mentioned award levels have values attached to them which signify the buying power to purchase gift vouchers/coupons from the ‘Applause’ Reward Center and is not simply ‘cash in the bank'.
  • These award values are based on Standard of Living Index & Purchasing Power Parity Index.
  • All awards will be awarded in the recipient's respective country local currency.
  • Currency conversion will be automatic through program's Standard of Living Index (SOLI) to ensure buying power of the reward is same across all countries globally. Refer to Fig1.1 below for corresponding values in different countries.
  • For example, if the nominator is from US and the recipient is from India then the nominator will view the award value in USD while the recipient will receive the award in INR.
Award INDIA
(INR)		 SINGAPORE
(SGD)		 UNITED KINGDOM
(GBP)		 UNITED STATES
(USD)		 AUSTRALIA
(AUD)		 CANADA
(CAD)		 HONG KONG
(HKD)
Hi 5 500 50 20 25 50 30 210
Bravo 1000 80 40 50 75 60 430
Team Triumph 2000 160 80 100 150 120 860
Xtra Mile 2500 200 90 125 200 160 1000
Blue Ribbon 5000 400 180 250 425 320 2140
Whatever it takes 7500 560 280 350 525 420 3010
ACE 10000 800 360 500 825 640 4280
Standing Ovation 15000 1120 560 700 1050 840 6020
Partner & Progress 25000 1590 710 1000 1650 1300 8560
Fig.1.1
  • There is no frequency attached to the awards and can be given out anytime during the year.
  • For every award given, the respective award amount would be debited from the nominator's cost centre.
  • Any applicable tax on the awards as per the local country tax law will be paid by Tata Communications and not by the award recipient.
  • When nominating for a team award, please be aware that it can be from the same vertical or cross functional or cross regional. Also, when you are recognizing the team for an award, the award value will be applicable individually to every recipient team member.
  • All the awards are irrespective of any priority or sequence. Employees/managers may choose any award from the list based on the applicable selection criteria with a proper justification.
  • All awards come with a validity of 12 months from the date of receiving the award and must be redeemed within the timeframe.
    • In case of transfer/IJP/secondment to another country, employee must redeem the award amount earned before moving to the new country. Once the location is changed to the new country, employee will start receiving awards basis the new country.
    • In case an employee resigns from Tata Communications, employee must redeem the earned award amount before the last working day. In case employee does not redeem, the company will not be liable to pay for the same in full and final settlement.
Digital Certificates
  • All employees will receive an email notification that will contain all the details of their award along with award certificate.
  • Employees can download their own certificate from Applause Dashboard
    • To download/ print digital certificate navigate To My Dashboard > My Award History > Click on ‘View’ (of respective award) > ‘Download award Certificate’
Redemption of Awards
You're Appreciation, Your Choice
  • On receipt of the award, employee will have an option to redeem the award from the ‘Applause’ Redemption Portal.
  • Employees can redeem gift vouchers from a catalogue of top-rated merchants globally ranging from e-shopping, entertainment, travel, home, electronics, jewellery etc., the objective being to provide maximum flexibility and choice.
  • Employee may choose to redeem the full value or partly. He/she may choose to accumulate award points in their respective account on the Applause portal and redeem it later for the consolidated value.
  • All gift vouchers/certificates will be digital, and details will be sent on official email address.
Applause Program Guidelines
  • This policy is intended to be used for guidance only and does not raise to any contractual entitlement on the part of the employees and employer.
  • This policy document supersedes the existing R&R policy at Tata Communications and its subsidiaries across the globe.
  • All the employees should follow ASAP recognition guidelines.
    • As Soon - Timing is important; don't delay praise
    • As Sincere - Do it because you're truly appreciative
    • As Specific - Give details of the achievement
    • As Personal - Do it in person
    • As Positive - Don't mix in criticism
    • As Proactive - Don't wait for perfect performance
  • The nominations for awards shall be based on proper justification and citation
  • Recognition is meaningful if it is given soon after the event deserving recognition. A delayed approval will reduce the excitement associated with the award. Any nomination should be approved within 15 days.
  • The decision on the list of awardees under each category of the Program is at the discretion of the approver (where applicable) and shall be treated as final and binding.
  • Guideline Regarding Upward Nominations: Guideline Regarding Upward Nominations: Upward recognition (monetary) of colleagues within the same team who are at higher level than the nominator is not allowed. For example: a B5 level employee cannot recognize a B6 or above level employee within the same team using the applause portal. Same team implies employees reporting to the same manager. If required, the concerned employee can send a thank you message via email.
  • All the awards mentioned above are irrespective of any priority or sequence, all the employees/managers are free to choose any award at any time from the list based on the applicable selection criteria with a proper justification and citation
  • The Applause! framework does not cover the following:
    • Any function specific contests/promotional schemes which are part of Sales/CSO budgets.
    • Any employee/functional celebration/any other events. These may operate at BU level based on specific business needs
  • Employee should not consider this program as their right or the part of their total remuneration
  • There is no relation, whatsoever, between an appreciation and a promotion or increment. An appreciation shall not automatically qualify an individual for promotion or increment.
  • In the event of misuse of police by any employee/s, the company will initiate the disciplinary action e.g. treating recognition as a pleasing or favour object, stating incorrect facts and details while nominating an employee etc.
  • In case of Pro-club award, if an individual resigns after being nominated, s/he will not be eligible for any customary benefit associated with it (e.g. Leave for availing gift of a holiday package etc).
  • The company reserves the right to withdraw, modify or suspend the policy anytime with the approval of the Global HR Head.
Any exception to this policy MUST be approved by Global HR Head