To maintain efficiency and ensure timely completion of tasks, the following policy outlines expectations regarding task acknowledgment, start times, and communication.
1. Task Acknowledgment Responsibilities
- Immediate Review: Upon assignment of a task, team members are required to review the task details immediately or as soon as possible within the same business day.
- Acknowledgment Requirement: After reviewing the task, the team member must:
- Mark the task as "Acknowledged" to confirm they have reviewed the details and are committed to completing it by the assigned due date and/or time.
- Communicate immediately if they foresee any restrictions, potential delays, or lack of clarity that may hinder their ability to complete the task on time. This communication must occur before marking the task as "Acknowledged."
- Acknowledgment Implications: By marking the task as "Acknowledged," the team member affirms they understand the task requirements and commit to completing it without delay.
2. Due Date Expectations
- Tasks Without Specific Time: Tasks due on a specific date but without a specified time must be completed no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the due date.
- Tasks With Specific Time: Tasks with a specific time listed must be completed on or before the specified time on the due date.
3. Start Time Expectations
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Early Start Requirement: Team members are expected to begin working on assigned tasks before the due date, allowing sufficient time to address potential challenges and ensure completion. Tasks should not be initiated on the same day as the due date, except under the following circumstances:
- The task is explicitly marked as "Urgent" and requires same-day completion.
- The team member is explicitly instructed to start and complete the task on the due date.
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Urgent Tasks: If a task is urgent and due the same day, the team member must begin working on it immediately upon acknowledgment to ensure timely delivery.
4. Communication and Changes
- Proactive Communication: If circumstances arise that may impact the completion of a task, team members must communicate the situation as soon as possible to their manager or the assigning party.
- Extension Requests: Extension requests will only be considered if they are submitted prior to the due date with a valid, documented reason. Extensions requested on or after the due date will generally not be granted unless under exceptional and approved circumstances.
- Penalty for Late Start: If a team member begins a task late and requests an extension without a valid reason, they may be subject to performance review or other corrective actions.
5. Accountability
- Task acknowledgment signifies acceptance of responsibility for completing the task as assigned, without requiring extensions or adjustments unless pre-approved.
- Repeated failure to start tasks in a timely manner, communicate effectively, or meet deadlines may result in formal disciplinary action.
By following this policy, team members help ensure smooth workflows, meet client and business expectations, and maintain professional accountability.