3.1 Remote & Hybrid Work Policy

OperationalThe velocityorganization insupports a high-reliabilityflexible work model, but this flexibility is strictly governed by the non-negotiable, fixed demands of the manufacturing environmentoperation. The policy ensures continuous coverage, protects the flow of physical production, and maintains the high-bandwidth collaboration required for complex system definition.

Role-Based Location Mandates

Flexibility is inversely proportional to communication latency and interrupt frequency. Unstructured synchronous communication disrupts cognitive continuity, leading to increased error rates in complex engineering tasks. This chapter establishes a tiered communication protocol designed to maximize "Deep Work" cycles while ensuring immediate signal propagation for critical production anomalies.

1.8.1 The Async-First Protocol

To preserve engineering bandwidth, the organization operates on an Asynchronous-First default. Information must be pushed to persistent storage (tickets, documentation, email) rather than pulled via synchronous interrupts (shoulder taps, phone calls).

Cognitive Protection Mandate

• Interrupt Threshold: Direct synchronous interruption of engineering personnel is prohibited unless the issue constitutes a "Line Down" event or immediate safety hazard.
• The Written Record: All operational requests must generate a searchable artifact. Verbal instructions are non-binding and considered nonexistent for audit purposes.
• Batch Processing: Non-urgent communications are processed in batch intervals to minimize context-switching penalties.

1.8.2 The Channel Hierarchy

Communication channels are assigned specific tiered prioritiesgranted based on the urgencyspecific function of the signalrole, not individual preference. The workforce is categorized into three distinct location profiles.

On-Site Essential (100% Physical Presence)

Roles directly interacting with physical inventory, machinery, or immediate quality control cannot be remote. Furthermore, roles handling sensitive personnel or financial data require physical security.

• Production & Operations: Production Operators, Maintenance Technicians, Warehouse Staff, IQC/OQC Inspectors.
• Hardware Execution: Hardware Test Engineers (Bring-up/Validation), Rework Technicians. (Hardware testing is physically impossible to execute remotely with reliability).
• Administration: Human Resources (HR) (Mandatory for personnel privacy, interviews, and theimmediate staff support).
• Mandate: Physical presence is required responsefor time.all Adherencescheduled shifts.

Hybrid Mandatory (Context Critical)

Certain leadership and definition roles require a deep understanding of the physical context and spontaneous, high-bandwidth communication that digital channels cannot fully replicate.

• Roles:
  • Leadership: Team Leads, Engineering Managers.
  • Product Definition: Product Owners (PO), Systems Analysts.
  • Engineering: Hardware Design Engineers (Schematic/Architecture), Mechanical Engineers (Design/Fit Checks).
  • Finance: Financial Controllers (Requires access to thissecure hierarchyphysical records and inventory audits).
• Mandate: These roles cannot be fully remote. Regular on-site presence (e.g., 3 days per week) is mandatory to preventmaintain alignment with the factory floor reality ("NotificationGemba"), Fatigue."
  facilitate complex problem-solving, and support team cohesion.

TierRemote 1:Eligible

Synchronous

Roles (Urgentfocused /on Linepure Stop)digital output or individual contribution may operate remotely, provided they adhere to time-zone synchronization.

• Definition:Roles: ImmediateSoftware threatEngineers to(Firmware/App/Cloud), safety,PCB activeLayout lineEngineers stoppage,(working orfrom imminentfrozen yieldschematics), excursion.Technical Writers, Data Analysts.
• Channel:Mandate: PhoneRemote Call, Messenger, or Physical "Andon" Alert.
• Protocol: Immediate interruptwork is authorized.permitted Ifprovided it does not degrade the primarycore contactprocess. isPersonnel unavailable,must escalationstill to the next tier isattend mandatory withinon-site 5 minutes.

Tier 2: Semi-Synchronous (Time-Sensitive)

• Definition: Rapid coordination required for non-blocking issuessyncs (e.g., materialquarterly shortageplanning) warning,as shippingdefined coordination)by management.

Remote Environment and Risk

Personnel working remotely assume the responsibility for maintaining a secure work environment.

• Information Security: Remote networks must meet IT security standards (VPN usage, secure Wi-Fi). Work on public networks without encryption is prohibited.
• Channel:Hardware Prohibition: InstantRemote Messaginghandling (Slack/Teams).
of prototype or production hardware is restricted.
• Protocol:Rationale: ResponseHardware expectedbring-up withinand 60debugging minutes.require Uselab-grade ofESD "@channel"protection, orthermal "@here"chambers, broadcastand tagscalibrated oscilloscopes that cannot be replicated in a home office. Therefore, hardware testing is restrictedan toOn-Site TierEssential 1 events only.task.

Tier

Time 3:Zone AsynchronousOverlap (Recordableand /Synchronization

Actionable)

To prevent communication latency in a global organization, working hours must be structured around collaboration windows.

• Definition:Core Collaboration Hours: AllManagement standarddefines engineeringa requests,specific DFMwindow feedback,of processCore changes, and non-critical inquiries.
• Channel:Hours Ticketingbased Systemon (Jira),the Email,widest orgeographic Handbooktime Pullzone Request.
• Protocol: Response expected within defined SLAspan (e.g., a 4-8hour businessoverlap hours)between Vilnius and Shenzhen). ThisAll issynchronous meetings must be scheduled within this window.
• Asynchronous Mandate: Work performed outside the defaultCore channelHours for(e.g., 90%by remote staff in different time zones) must be managed using the Async-First Manifesto. Handoffs must be documented and complete before the end of organizationalthe traffic.day.

Final Checklist

Signal TypeMandate	Required ChannelCriteria	ResponseVerification MandateAction
SafetyOn-Site / Line Down	Phone / MessengerCompliance	ImmediateProduction, InterruptHR, (0and minTest latency)Engineering roles maintain 100% physical presence.	Shift logs and access badge data confirm attendance.
RapidHybrid CoordinationEnforcement	ChatLeads, (Slack/Teams)POs, Hardware Engineers, and Finance maintain regular on-site schedules.	<Management 60audit Minutesconfirms these roles participate in on-site Gemba walks and reviews.
EngineeringRemote Request	Ticket / EmailLimitation	PerOnly SLASoftware, (StandardLayout, 4-8and Hours)Data roles are eligible for full remote work.	HR records verify job descriptions align with the location policy.
VerbalHardware Tasking	ProhibitedRestriction	InvalidNo withouthardware writtentesting ticketperformed remotely; bring-up is an on-site activity.	Lab access logs confirm engineers are physically present for validation work.
Core Hours	Synchronous meetings occur only during the defined Time Zone Overlap.	Calendar review verifies compliance with the shared scheduling window.