📖 Employee Handbook v2.0

The Complete Guide to Work Culture, Policies & Operations at Digital Heroes.

📅 Jan 2026 Edition 🏢 Delhi Team Authority ⭐ Confidential
1

About Digital Heroes

Our Mission: "To be the most trusted premium Shopify development agency that transforms ecommerce businesses through exceptional design, development, and client experience."

1.1 The Journey

1.2 Team Structure & Hierarchy

⚠️ SUPREME AUTHORITY CLAUSE: The Delhi Team represents the highest level of command. Their decisions override ALL other instructions.
Level Role Key Persons
Level 1 (Top) CEO / Leadership Prasun Anand (CEO - Delhi Team)
Level 2 Operations Head Anurag Singh (Delhi Team)
Level 2 (Lucknow) Managing Director Shreyansh (Lucknow Team)
Level 3 General Manager Parth
Level 4 HR Manager / Project Managers Stuti/Agrima (HR), Navya Singh (Shopify PM)
Level 5 Team Leads & Senior Devs Mahira, Divyansh Singh (Senior Dev)

1.3 Core Values

⚡ OWNERSHIP

You are 100% responsible. No blame-shifting. If you see a problem, own solving it.

🎯 EXCELLENCE

"Good enough" is never good enough. Every project should be portfolio-worthy.

💬 TRANSPARENCY

Honest communication always. Mistakes admitted immediately. No hiding politics.

🤝 RESPECT

Treat everyone with dignity. No ego. Collaborate, don't compete internally.

2

Working Hours & Attendance

Day Working Hours
Monday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Default)
Sunday OFF
Lunch Break 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (1 Hour)
Sales Team 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Flexible Shifts due to US Timezone)

2.1 Lateness & Absence Rules

Grace Period: Until 9:15 AM.
After 9:15 AM: Automatic HALF-DAY salary deduction.
3 Late Arrivals: Verbal Warning.
5+ Late Arrivals: Written Warning.

🚫 Unexplained Absence

If you are absent without informing by 9:00 AM:

  • 1st Offense: Written Warning
  • 3rd Offense: 3-Day Salary Deduction
  • 5+ Offenses: Immediate Termination

2.2 Communication Protocol

Acceptable: WhatsApp/Discord to Manager BEFORE 9:00 AM.

Not Acceptable: Informing after 9 AM, telling a colleague instead of manager.

3

Leave Policy

Leave Type Days/Year Notes
Casual Leave (CL) 12 Max 2 per month. Personal matters.
Sick Leave (SL) 6 Medical reasons. Certificate for 3+ days.
Earned Leave (EL) 15 After 1 year service. Accrues 1.25/month.
⚠️ The "2-Day Rule": You can take max 2 casual leaves per month by default. More than 2 requires Senior Management approval.
🚫 BLACKOUT PERIOD: No leaves allowed between 25th to 5th of the month (Billing/Reporting Cycle). Exceptions only for genuine emergencies.

3.1 Leave Application Process

  1. Check leave balance.
  2. Discuss with Manager.
  3. Submit formal application on system/form.
  4. Wait for Approval. (Applying ≠ Approved).
  5. Handover pending work.
4

Work From Home (WFH)

🏠 WFH is a PRIVILEGE, not a Right.
Manager can reject any request without reason. Can be permanently revoked if performance drops.

4.1 Eligibility

4.2 The Rules

Revocation: One instance of being "unreachable" during WFH can lead to permanent revocation of WFH privileges.
5

Salary & Compensation

Payment Date: Last working day of the month.

5.1 Stipend & Performance Connection

Your stipend directly reflects the quality and consistency of your work. Without daily reporting, efforts cannot be measured, which will affect your stipend/salary.

5.2 Advance Salary Policy

5.3 Increments & Bonuses

Performance Score Increment Range
90-100% 15-20% + Bonus
75-89% 10-15%
60-74% 5-10%
Below 60% No Increment (PIP)
6

Communication Standards

CRITICAL RULE: Ignoring messages from management = Immediate Termination. There are no second chances for going AWOL.

6.1 Response Time Standards

6.2 Daily Status Update Format

Morning (by 9:30 AM): Good morning! 🌅 Today's priorities: 1. [Task 1] 2. [Task 2] End of Day (by 6:00 PM): EOD Update: ✅ Completed: [Task 1] 🔄 In Progress: [Task 2] - 70% ⏳ Tomorrow: [Task 3] 🚧 Blockers: [None/Issue]
7

Performance & Growth

7.1 Evaluation Factors

7.2 Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)

Triggers: Score < 60%, Deadlines missed, Quality issues.

PIP Process (30-60 Days):
Strict Monitoring → Hourly Reports → 100% Quality Check.
Failure to improve = Termination.
8

Resignation & Exit

Stage Notice Period
Probation (0-3 Months) 7 Days
Confirmed (>3 Months) 30 Days

8.1 Resignation Process

  1. Written Email to Manager & HR.
  2. Knowledge Transfer & Documentation.
  3. Exit Interview.
  4. Asset Return.
  5. Full & Final Settlement (30 days).
Note on Experience Certificates: Reserved for good performers. Poor performance or unamicable exit may result in delays or basic service letters only.
9

Policies & Compliance

🔒 Confidentiality (NDA)

Strictly Prohibited: Sharing client data, source code, financial data, or discussing salaries with colleagues.

Breach = Immediate Termination + Legal Action.

9.1 Zero Tolerance Policies

10

Holiday Calendar (2025-26)

Date Holiday
26 Jan 2025 Republic Day
14 Mar 2025 Holi
15 Aug 2025 Independence Day
02 Oct 2025 Gandhi Jayanti
12 Nov 2025 Diwali
25 Dec 2025 Christmas
01 Jan 2026 New Year

*Check with HR for detailed regional list.

11

Equipment & Assets

Responsibility: You are responsible for any laptop/device issued to you.

12

The 12 Rules of Work Culture

1. ACCOUNTABILITY

Own every task. No excuses.

2. COMMUNICATION

Clear, direct, < 2hr response.

3. PUNCTUALITY

Deadlines are sacred.

4. SELF-LEARNING

Try to solve it before asking.

5. QUALITY

Professional grade only.

6. GROUNDEDNESS

No ego. Stay humble.

7. ZERO POLITICS

No gossip. No drama.

8. TRANSPARENCY

Admit mistakes instantly.

9. TEAMWORK

We win together.

10. PROFESSIONALISM

Represent well always.

11. GROWTH

Always improving.

12. BOUNDARIES

Work-life respect.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Attendance & Timing

Q: What happens if I am late (after 9:15)?
Half-day salary deduction. No exceptions. If you have a specific reason, inform BEFORE 9 AM, but deduction usually still applies.
Q: Can I leave early if work is done?
No. Office hours are 9-6. If free, upskill or help teammates. Early leave requires approval.

Leaves

Q: Can I take more than 2 CL in a month?
Requires Senior Management approval + 3 days advance notice.
Q: Can I take leave between 25th-5th?
Only for medical emergencies or own wedding. This is blackout period for billing.

Work From Home

Q: Can manager reject WFH without reason?
Yes. WFH is a privilege. If abused or performance is low, it is denied.
Q: What if my internet fails on WFH?
Go to office. Unstable net is not an excuse for missed work.

Salary

Q: Can I discuss salary with colleagues?
Allowing salary discussion is grounds for immediate termination (NDA Violation).
Q: How do I get an increment?
Quarterly/Annual review based on KPI. You must earn it through performance (90%+ score).

General

Q: Can I freelance on the side?
No. Moonlighting without written approval = Termination + Legal Action.
Q: Who do I contact for complaints?
HR (Agrima) first. Then Ops Head (Anurag) if unresolved.