The Hindu Business Line : Nasscom getting ready with ethics framework

Bangalore, Aug. 8 In a bid to standardise the practices followed by the business process outsourcing (BPO) firms, Nasscom will soon come out with a policy framework for ‘Best Practices in Ethics’ that will cover areas such as human resources and data security among others.

“The aim is to create a set of guidelines which will help take the industry to the next level of excellence,” said Mr Kiran Karnik, Nasscom President, at the India ITES-BPO Strategy Summit 2007 in Bangalore on Tuesday.

The framework would also cover people management, physical infrastructure and whistle-blower policy.

“The best practices in ethics framework had been designed around employee-friendly policies, safety and security of employees, code of ethics in hiring, corporate social responsibility, and industry initiatives,” said Mr Pramod Bhasin, Chairperson, Nasscom ITES-BPO Forum.

Voluntary code

The code would be voluntary and on the lines of the quality standard currently laid for companies. All members will voluntarily adhere to the framework. “The initial brief format would be ready in the next few months. However, it would take some time before a standardised set of practices to be adopted is brought out,” he said.

The standardised practices would be subject to a third part verification, he said.

The intention of coming out with such a code is to help the industry move on to the next level of excellence and is in keeping with the expectations of increased customer demands from this sector, Mr Karnik said.

“By coming up with such a code, we hope to raise the standards and as well as set new standards,” he added.

As part of the framework, Nasscom will also launch industry-wide HR management guidelines.

HR guidelines

“The aim is to create a set of guidelines, which will help in attracting and retaining talent and address the issue of attrition to a large extent,” Mr Bhasin said.

The framework would attempt to eliminate discrimination in hiring.

“We want it to be a standard process where all get a fair chance. It will also include code for people changing jobs within the industry,” he said.

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