Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour we expect from everyone who works with Sanam Designs Wallah – Manki Space, the company behind TheManki. It applies to all employees, interns, freelancers, contractors and business associates, whether you work from our office, a client site or remotely. The Code is simple at heart: do honest work, treat people well, protect what is entrusted to you, and speak up when something is wrong.

1. 01. Who this Code applies to and what it expects

   We are a small, trust-driven team building custom software, ERP systems, automation and retention software for Indian businesses. Our clients hand us access to their data, their systems and their reputation. That trust is only as strong as the conduct of the people who represent us.

   This Code applies whenever you are acting on behalf of the company — during work hours, on company or client systems, at client sites, at events, and on public or online channels where you can be identified with us.

   • Read and follow this Code, and ask if anything is unclear.
   • Act in good faith and put the company's and clients' legitimate interests ahead of personal gain.
   • Comply with applicable Indian laws and with any client policies you have agreed to follow on their premises or systems.
   • Hold yourself to the same standard whether or not anyone is watching.

   If a law, a client contract or this Code seem to conflict, do not guess. Pause and raise it with the founder, Mayank Agarwal, before acting.

2. 02. Integrity and professionalism

   Integrity is doing the right thing even when it is inconvenient. Professionalism is doing it reliably, on time and to a standard we are proud to put our name on.

   • Be honest in your work, your timesheets, your status updates and your expense claims — never misrepresent effort, progress or results.
   • Do not falsify, backdate or destroy records, code commits, invoices or reports.
   • Deliver what you commit to; if you cannot, flag it early rather than hiding a slip.
   • Give credit where it is due and never pass off others' work — including open-source or AI-generated work — as original without proper rights and attribution.
   • Meet your commitments to quality, security and deadlines; cutting corners that put a client at risk is never acceptable.

   Honest mistakes happen and are not punished when disclosed promptly. Covering them up is what turns a mistake into misconduct.

3. 03. Respect for clients, colleagues and a safe workplace

   We work closely with clients and with each other. Everyone deserves to be treated with courtesy and dignity, regardless of gender, religion, caste, region, language, disability, age or background.

   • Communicate clearly and respectfully — in meetings, on calls, on WhatsApp and over email — and keep client communication patient and solution-focused even under pressure.
   • Do not engage in harassment, bullying, intimidation, discrimination or retaliation of any kind.
   • Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited and is dealt with under our separate POSH policy, framed under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Complaints go to the Internal Committee.
   • Respect client premises, their staff and their rules when you are on site or on their systems.
   • Keep the workplace free of alcohol and illegal substances during work, and never work on client deliverables while impaired.

   Disagreement is welcome; disrespect is not. Argue the idea, never attack the person.

4. 04. Conflicts of interest

   A conflict of interest arises when your personal interests could improperly influence — or appear to influence — your judgement at work. The risk is not only actual wrongdoing; even the appearance of a conflict can damage client trust.

   • Disclose, in writing, any outside work, freelancing or side business that competes with the company or involves our clients, vendors or prospects.
   • Do not divert a business opportunity that came to you through the company to yourself, family or friends.
   • Do not take part in hiring, vendor selection or pricing decisions involving a relative, partner or close friend without disclosing the relationship first.
   • Avoid soliciting our clients or poaching our team for personal ventures while engaged with us.
   • Investments or personal relationships that could affect a client engagement must be disclosed before the engagement starts or as soon as the situation arises.

   When in doubt, disclose. Disclosing a potential conflict early protects both you and the company; staying silent and being found out later does not.

5. 05. Confidentiality and protection of data

   Much of what we touch is confidential — client business plans, source code, databases, customer lists, marketing strategies, login credentials and personal data of our clients' customers. Protecting it is a core duty, not an optional one.

   • Keep all client and company information confidential, both during your engagement and after it ends.
   • Access data only on a need-to-know basis and use it solely for the purpose it was shared with you.
   • Handle personal data lawfully and carefully, in line with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000 — collect only what is needed, keep it secure, and never sell or misuse it.
   • Protect credentials and systems: use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication where available, and never share logins over insecure channels.
   • Do not copy client data to personal devices, personal cloud accounts or personal email without authorisation.
   • Report any suspected data breach, leak or lost device immediately so we can respond within the timelines our clients and the law expect.

   If you are unsure whether something is confidential, treat it as confidential until you have confirmed otherwise.

6. 06. Use of company assets and systems

   Company assets — laptops, software licences, accounts, tools, devices and funds — are provided to help you do your job. Use them responsibly and lawfully.

   • Use company devices, accounts and internet primarily for work; limited reasonable personal use is fine as long as it does not interfere with your duties or our security.
   • Use only properly licensed software and tools; do not install pirated, cracked or unauthorised software on company or client systems.
   • Do not use company systems to store or share unlawful, offensive or infringing material.
   • Keep client and company assets secure, return them when your engagement ends, and report loss, theft or damage promptly.
   • Remember that work done on company systems and time, including code and creative output, belongs to the company or the relevant client as per your contract.

   Treat the company's and clients' assets as carefully as you would your own — arguably more so, because others are relying on them.

7. 07. Social media and public conduct

   What you post publicly can reflect on the company and on our clients, even when you post from a personal account. A little care protects everyone.

   • Never disclose confidential client or company information, screenshots, code, or unannounced projects on social media or in public forums.
   • Do not name or showcase a client's work as a case study, portfolio piece or post without written permission.
   • Make it clear that personal opinions are your own and not the company's; do not speak on behalf of the company unless you are authorised to.
   • Be respectful online — avoid abusive, defamatory, discriminatory or misleading posts, including in client or industry groups on WhatsApp, LinkedIn and similar platforms.
   • Only official, authorised team members may respond to media queries or post from company channels.

   A good test before posting: would you be comfortable if the client, your colleagues and the founder all saw it with your name attached?

8. 08. Anti-bribery and anti-corruption

   We win and keep business on the strength of our work, not by paying or taking bribes. Corruption is illegal under Indian law, including the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and it is strictly prohibited at Manki Space.

   • Do not offer, give, request or accept any bribe, kickback or improper payment to win work, speed up approvals or influence any decision.
   • Be especially careful in any dealings with government officials or public bodies — facilitation payments are not allowed.
   • Gifts and hospitality must be modest, transparent and never given or taken to influence a decision; when in doubt, decline or disclose it.
   • Keep accurate records of payments, expenses and vendor dealings — no off-book or disguised transactions.
   • Do not route improper payments through agents, vendors or intermediaries to do indirectly what you cannot do directly.

   If anyone asks you for, or offers you, an improper payment, refuse and report it. You will never be penalised for losing business by saying no to corruption.

9. 09. Reporting violations and consequences

   If you see or suspect a breach of this Code — by anyone, at any level — please report it. Speaking up early often prevents small problems from becoming serious ones.

   • Report concerns to your manager, or directly to the founder, Mayank Agarwal, if the matter is sensitive or involves your manager.
   • Reports are taken seriously, handled discreetly and investigated fairly, with the chance for those involved to be heard.
   • Good-faith reporting is protected: there will be no retaliation against anyone who raises a genuine concern, even if it turns out to be mistaken.
   • Knowingly making a false or malicious report is itself a breach of this Code.

   Consequences for breaching the Code depend on the seriousness and circumstances, and may range from coaching and a written warning to suspension, termination of employment or engagement, recovery of losses, and referral to the authorities where the law requires it.

   We would always rather help you do the right thing than discipline you for getting it wrong, so ask before you act when something feels unclear.

10. 10. Questions, escalation and contact

    This Code cannot cover every situation. When you face a judgement call, use common sense, lean towards honesty and transparency, and ask for guidance early.

    For any question, disclosure, or report of a violation under this Code, you can reach the founder directly and in confidence:

    • Email: mayank@themanki.com
    • Phone / WhatsApp: +91 70022 08642
    • Contact person: Mayank Agarwal, Founder, Sanam Designs Wallah – Manki Space

    This Code is effective from 17 June 2026 and may be updated from time to time; we will let you know when it changes.