When people talk about great workplaces, the conversation often starts with perks, benefits, or policies. From an HR perspective, those matter—but they are not where culture is built. Culture shows up in everyday experiences: how clearly expectations are set, whether feedback is acted upon, how fairly decisions are made, and whether people see a future for themselves in the organization.
At UnitedLayer, our focus on people has evolved deliberately over time. As we scaled, we recognized early that growth without intention can dilute culture. That led us to ask a fundamental question: how do we design employee experiences that are sustainable, transparent, and aligned with how the business actually operates?
As Director of People Operations, my role is not limited to rolling out programs or managing processes. It is about ensuring that people practice commitment, accountability, performance, and long-term growth—both for individuals and for the organization. This thinking shaped our Employee Value Proposition, which clearly defines what employees can expect from UnitedLayer and what we expect in return: ownership, collaboration, and continuous learning.
As Shabreen Taj quotes, “Watching our employees grow—gaining confidence, learning new skills, and achieving personal milestones—is the most meaningful part of my role. When we invest in our people with intention and heart, the impact goes far beyond the workplace.”
Trust plays a practical role in how we work. We operate with flexible schedules and a remote-first model, not as a benefit, but as a way to enable focus and productivity across distributed teams. Our emphasis is on outcomes and responsibility, rather than time spent online. This approach requires clarity, discipline, and mutual accountability—and we continue to refine it as teams and roles evolve.
Recognition is another area where consistency matters more than grand gestures. We make it a point to acknowledge contributions, project milestones, and personal achievements in a way that is timely and genuine. These moments reinforce a sense of belonging and help employees see how their work connects to broader business goals.
Learning and capability-building remain core priorities. Through the UnityOne AI Academy, we offer role-aligned learning paths and certification opportunities to help employees stay relevant in a fast-changing technology landscape. The impact is visible—not just in certifications earned, but in how teams take on more complex work with confidence and independence.
Our approach to well-being is equally pragmatic. We recognize that employee well-being affects performance, retention, and engagement. This is why we address it across multiple dimensions—mental, emotional, and financial—through structured initiatives such as financial planning sessions, wellness activities, and clear grievance redressal mechanisms. These are not one-time efforts; they require continuous review and improvement.
As UnitedLayer continues to grow, our people practices will continue to evolve. We are actively working on strengthening inclusivity, expanding wellness initiatives, and enabling employees to participate in meaningful CSR efforts that reflect both individual values and organizational priorities.
At UnitedLayer, building cloud solutions is our business. Building trust, accountability, and opportunity is how we sustain it.
Our goal is straightforward: to create a workplace where people can do meaningful work, grow with the organization, and feel confident about the environment they are part of.
Written by:
Shabreen Taj,
Director – People Operations,
UnitedLayer and UnityOne AI
