KCIC Employee Handbook Overview & Key Purposes

• Kings Cornerstone International College (KCIC) was founded in 2018 partnering with Pearson Education, UK
• KCIC aims to deliver world-class BTEC Higher National (HN) qualifications to students in India
• KCIC has a 5-acre campus along the East Coast Road in Chennai
• KCIC is committed to providing an international education that equips students with the skills, knowledge, and values needed for global success
• KCIC collaborates with global institutions such as the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), RMIT University, and Ulster University
• KCIC aims to provide unique opportunities for students to pursue further studies abroad, gain international exposure, and build successful careers

Purpose of the Employee Handbook

• It provides an overview of workplace policies, procedures, and expectations at Kings Cornerstone International College
• It serves as a vital tool for fostering a professional, safe, and supportive environment for both staff and students

Key Purposes of the Handbook

• Clarifying Expectations: It outlines conduct standards expected from all employees, ensuring alignment with the college's mission, values, and goals
• Ensuring a Safe Environment: It contains policies and procedures for creating a secure, respectful environment, including those aimed at anti-harassment and professional conduct
• Promoting a Positive Culture: Emphasis on commitment to inclusivity, integrity, and mutual respect, with guidelines on communication, conflict resolution, and ethical behaviour
• Supporting Professional Growth: Outlines opportunities for training, education assistance, and career advancement for employees
• Guiding Through Policies and Procedures: Serves as a reference for KCIC’s policies, procedures, benefits, rights, and responsibilities, covering topics such as leave and performance evaluations

Commitment to a Safe and Supportive Environment

• Kings Cornerstone International College believes a safe and supportive environment is crucial for effective teaching and learning
• It is committed to maintaining standards of safety, security, and well-being for everyone on campus
• For staff, KCIC provides a workplace valuing diversity, fairness, and professional development, safeguarding against discrimination and harassment
• For students, KCIC ensures a secure learning environment encouraging academic pursuits, with student-staff relationship policies maintaining professional boundaries and trust
• Adherence to handbook principles contributes to making Kings Cornerstone International College a distinguished institution upholding excellence and innovation

Foreword from the CEO

• Kings Cornerstone International College extends sincere appreciation for the staff's dedication, passion, and hard work
• The college is recognized as a leader in international education due to innovative programs and academic standards
• The employee handbook guides and supports staff, outlining policies, procedures, and expectations for maintaining a professional, respectful, and safe environment
• The college prioritizes safety, well-being, professional growth and aims to empower employees by way of training, mentorship, and new challenges
• The community is vibrant and built on feedback, ideas, and suggestions to build a stronger institution

Mission and Vision

• Kings Cornerstone International College (KCIC) facilitates students' dreams of studying abroad, making global education accessible beginning in India
• The aim is to lead as India's top pathway provider to global universities by offering education at an accessible cost
• The college delivers programs providing students with the academic skills and career development opportunities
• KCIC's mission includes building futures, creating global citizens, and ensuring every student can explore the world

Section 1: Employment Policies and Procedures

• Kings Cornerstone International College (KCIC) has established employment policies and procedures intending to maintain a respectful and supportive work environment
• These policies apply to all employees, regardless of position or status

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Kings Cornerstone International College is an Equal Opportunity Employer, aiming to provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals
• The policy disregards race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, and other protected characteristics, which applies to all employment decisions
• All job postings should affirm KCIC's commitment to equal employment
• Hiring practices will be fair and transparent. Any policy violations should be reported to the Human Resources, and corrective actions will be taken when necessary

Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy

• KCIC commits a workplace free from harassment, discrimination, and retaliation with zero tolerance
• Harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic will not be tolerated
• Mandatory training will be enforced
• Employees who believe they have been harassed, discriminated, or witnessed incidents should report to their supervisor or the Human Resources

Employment Categories

Policies Clarifications: To define employment classifications, KCIC recognizes employment categories such as:

• Full-Time Employees: Regularly work 40 or more hours/week and are eligible for benefits
• Part-Time Employees: Regularly work less than 40 hours/week
• Contract Employees: Hired temporarily under a contract with defined terms Procedure:
• New employees will understand their employment category during onboarding
• The employer has the discretions to change an employment level, based on performance and business needs

Confidentiality

• Kings Cornerstone International College (KCIC) requires employees to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and proprietary information
• Employee must sign a confidentiality agreement, protect confidential information through secured passwords, and report a supervisor immediately if it fails
• Unauthorized disclosure is strictly prohibited and can result in disciplinary action
• HR is responsible for investing breaches and taking action

Conflicts of Interest

• Employees are expected to act in KCIC’s best interest at all times and avoid when their personal interests interfere with their duties
• If potential conflicts of interest arise, the employees must immediately disclose the conflicts to their supervisor or HR
• They should refrain from engaging in outside activities that could compromise impartiality or integrity as KCIC representatives
• Failure to disclose or engaging in those activities could result in disciplinary action

Employment Records and Privacy

• Kings Cornerstone International College maintains personnel files containing application forms, resumes, performance evaluations, disciplinary records, and payroll data for each employee
• Employees should notify HR of personal information changes.
• Employees have the right to access their personnel file upon request.
• Staff are prohibited from sharing personal information found in the file, while records will be securely destroyed after the retention period.

Section 2: Compensation and Benefits

• Kings Cornerstone International College strives for the attract, retain, and motivate employees with benefits and perks, such as salary, benefits, and professional development opportunities

Salary Structure

• KCIC uses a fair, competitive salary structure based on qualifications, experience, market standards, and job responsibilities and designed with rewards
• Each position has a different salary band reflective of required qualifications, scope of responsibilities, and market conditions
• An employee's initial salary is determined and communicated during the recruitment process with reference to the specific salary band

Provident Fund

• Kings Cornerstone International College committed to providing retirement with a Provident Fund (PF), in compliance with global laws and regulations
• Full-time employees can participate and can be deducted 12% from Employees monthly salary, with a limit
• EPF/ Employer: KCIC contributes 12% of an employees salary, and it deposits employee/ employer contributions into EPF accounts, which are managed b EPF authorities
• EE are entitled to create login credentials using their UAN on the PF portal
• Upon resignation, employees are eligible to withdraw or transfer their Provident Fund based on its authorities

Professional Development and Education Assistance

Policy:

• It encourages continuous learning and provides opportunities and financial support for professional growth, and enhances skills Procedure
• EE are eligible if they have completed one year of service
• Support for seminars, conferences, certification programs, and advanced degree courses relevance to professional development Procedure:
• Applying through their immediate supervisor, or HR in witting (relevance of job, or the activity to professional goals)
• The College will evaluate and approve either partial or fully, based on the employee’s role, funds, etc.
• Reimbursement proof is needed
• EE is expected to share acquired new skills to colleges

Pay Periods and Payroll Deductions

• Kings Cornerstone International College (KCIC) adheres to all rules for payroll deductions
• Employees are paid consistently/ regularly for the work they perform
• EE's are paid montly (26th Previous to 25th current month)

Payroll Deductions

• Mandatory Deductions: Deductions mandated by law, such as income tax (TDS), Provident Fund contributions, and professional tax, are automatically deducted from employees' gross salary
• Voluntary Deductions: Employees may authorise additional deductions, such as contributions to voluntary provident funds, insurance premiums, or other approved schemes. Employees must complete the necessary authorization forms to initiate voluntary deductions
• Other Deductions: Deductions may also be made for absences without leave, penalties for policy violations, or repayment of loans or advances. Employees will be notified in writing of any deductions made
• Salary Slips: Detailed salary slips are provided to employees electronically each month. Salary slips will include information on gross salary, deductions, and net pay. Employees are to report any HR discrepancies issues

Section: 3 Workplace Expectations and Code of Conduct

• Kings Cornerstone International College (KCIC) maintains a professional work force
• The section entails all expectations for attendance, behavior, dress code, and a positive work environment where staff, scholars can thrive.

Professional Behavior and Attire

• Policy: All employees are expected to demonstrate professional behaviour and maintain a professional appearance reflects Standards of Kings Cornerstone International College
• Procedure:
  • Behavior: One should promote a positive and inclusive environment that is a positive attitude/ workplace.
  • Communication: Interact with professional respectful language tone
  • Teaming: Workmanship should always be present
  • Boundaries: professional with all attendance Attire:
• Attire should always present a professional appearance
• Faculty members must attire professional during school all/ times, and or college times, and even casual days attire should always be clean/ neat.

Attendance and Punctuality

• Regular attendance and punctuality are critical to the effective operation of the College
• Expected to be on time for scheduled work hours and appointments Procedure:
• EE's who are unable to follow up with the attendance need to inform their supervisor
• grace of time is of 3 minutes, meaning that every 3 minutes has a half day salary cut
• They have a right to a 30 min lunch time, and have a right to return on time
• Tardiness may result in discipline
• Vacations, and any other appointments need to be request in an advance

Use of College Property

• College property, equipment, and resources must be used responsibly and primarily for work-related reasons for taking care of the college/ equipment.
• EE need to report damaged equipment always with replacements immediately
• College must be authorized before removed
• It's essential for EE's to properly used, and safe keep college electronics

Conflicting regulations, integrity, and honesty

• Kings Cornerstone International College committed to collaborative work
• EE is encouraged to resolve conflict amongst one another
• Should their not be any resolution, their must be a HR, for assistant Policy integrity is the highest standard of Kings Cornerstone International College
• Employees need to be truthful and open, while accurately representing experience

Section: 4 Health, Safety, and Well-being Policies and Procedures

• Kings Cornerstone International College (KCIC) is committed to providing a safe, healthy environment for staff.
• These policy outlines the approach in maintaining high standards in our community

KIC Health and Safety Policy

KCIC is dedicated to have safe/ healthy environment

• Policies:
  • prevent accidents / injuries
  • responsibilities Employees: Comply with safety, attend the training, report the incidents Officer: Conducts Inspections, Safety Policies

Emergency Procedures

• Ensure safety of EE's, Students in events of emergency and security threats
• Procedures:
  • Post common phone numbers on each floor (Local medical etc)
  • Fire safety (Drills) EE, Students, familiar with nearest exits
• Medical Responsibilities:
  • To take action to call medical services if needed
  • Ensure department info is updated in up to HR

Workplace Violence Prevention

• Zero Harm
• Workplace violence is not accepted and not tolerated
• Safety: Reports to the HR department
• Any violence = Termination
• Counseling meditation will be provided
• Regular Training will be provided of prevention

Section; 5 Police and Precure; Technology and Social Media Use

• Recognitions of the importance of technology in enhance education. Environment for a positive work environment, with respects to cyber security practice a safe productive with a health work environment
• Technology should be used for all education with supportive activities Employees: expected to adhere to the police

Social safety

• Its purpose is to provide guidelines for the workplace ( EE must manage social safety's brand guidelines ( Only authorized accounts can be used ( Use Personal media for off work, and avoid all discrimination / harm images

Section: 6

Leave Policies for Kings Cornerstone International College

• Kings Cornerstone International College (KCIC) is mindful and recognizes the importance of a balanced work-life
• Designed and is with compliance with the Indian labour laws Annual leave Policy:
• EE's get 12 days EE request 15 days in advanace
• can carry forward

Section 7

Performance Evaluation and Professional Development Policy

• Recognizes that and is important to encourage career advancements. It's aligned with the Indian labor laws Provide transparent mechanism to ensure that an employee is rewarded

Objective of all Performance Appraisals

Is designed to evaluate Systematic performance, career growth, and objectives Conduct an annual check by management in the HR

• EE has the right receive their salary
• Attendance/professionalism Quality of work