Footprint Adventure’s HR Policy

Footprint Adventure’s brand identity is committed to providing a supportive, ethical, and professional work environment that corresponds with the standard practices of the travel and trekking industry of Nepal. Our HR policy is designed to foster fair treatment, promote employee well-being, and adhere to sustainability and responsible tourism values.

Recruitment and Selection

  • Equal Opportunity- Footprint Adventure is an equal-opportunity employer. Employees are recruited based on merits, qualifications, and experience (with or without) strongly opposing discrimination towards any gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability. 
  • Transparency- All vacancies are published on a public platform. The recruitment process is transparent and conducted as fairly as possible. 
  • Pre-employment procedure- Candidates should provide all the credentials and references, preferably digital, to apply for the job. 

Employment Categories

  • Permanent Employees- Staff involved in the company for a longer period of time receive benefits as per the Nepal government labor laws. 
  • Contractual Employees-Staffs members are recruited based on notice period or trekking season.
  • Freelancers-Independent members recruited for single or multiple treks based on itineraries.

Code of Conducts

  • Professionalism- According to the ethics of the company, staff members are expected to maintain the preeminent standard of professionalism and uphold courtesy during any interaction with the clients, staff, and stakeholders. 
  • Safety First—All company members should ensure the safety and well-being of clients and staff.
  • Ethical Practices—All company members shall adhere to integrity, support, and respect local culture, practice responsible tourism, and avoid any form of oppression.

Compensation and Benefits

  • Salary Structure- Our compensation policy is competitive and lines with industry standards following a timely payment.
  • Insurance- Employees are covered under travel and medical insurance.
  • Benefits- Employees are entitled to benefits like paid leave allowances and festival bonuses. 

Working Hours and Leave Policy

  • Working Hours- According to the company’s policy, working days are seven hours long. However, this needs to be adjusted where traveling for a trekking assignment occurs.
  • Leave Types:
    • Annual leave: Permanent employees receive 18 days of paid annual leave each year.
    • Sick leave: 12 days of sick leave granted every year with a medical certificate.
    • Festival Leave: The leave is endorsed according to the government's list of festivals.
    • Maternity/Paternity Leave: Ibid, these leaves are also provided as per provisions under the Nepalese labor law.

Training and Development

  • Skills Enhancement: Employees are encouraged to attend training programs such as first aid, language courses, trekking, and other specific programs.
  • Performance Reviews: Regular appraisals are done in order to highlight and measure the employees’ strengths, areas that require improvement, and what other opportunities the employee has the potential to grow.

Health and Safety

  • Safety Equipment: Guides and porters in most cases are properly trained at their places of work and are issued with enough safety garments.
  • Medical Support: There are first-aid kits for all treks and all treks have emergency evacuation plans as well.
  • Physical Fitness: Employees are made to be physically fit and strong to cope and perform better while trekking.

Grievance Redressal

  • Open Communication: Employees are free to lodge their complaints and grievances without fear of being victimized.
  • Resolution Process: The redress of complaints is properly organized and resolved timely.

Termination and Resignation

  • Notice Period- One month's notice or pay equivalent thereof. Termination and Resignation,1-month-notice or equivalent pay for permanent employees.
  • Termination- An employee may be terminated due to misconduct, violation of company policies, or poor performance, following a fair investigation.

Variation

The policy will be revised time to time to accommodate requirements under Nepalese Labor Act and the regulations related to tourism industry in Nepal.