The first day you report to work is your "official" anniversary date. Your anniversary date is used to compute various conditions and benefits described in this Manual.

If you have a disability which will affect your ability to take such a test, it is important that you advise a Company representative of this so that a reasonable accommodation can be arranged. Requested accommodations may include accessible testing sites, modified testing conditions, and accessible testing formats. Quantum Data reserves the right to require medical documentation concerning the need for the accommodation.

All employment and compensation with Quantum Data is "at will" which means that your employment can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either Quantum Data or yourself, except as otherwise provided by law.

Our regular operating hours are 8 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Monday through Friday, with alternating Friday's off.

Your particular hours of work, scheduling of your lunch period and determining your Team for your Friday off will be determined and assigned by your manager or department head. You are required to take a one (1) hour unpaid lunch period daily. Please understand that you may not "work through lunch" in order to arrive late or to leave early or to work extra time.

As an employee of Quantum Data, you have access to personal and confidential information. All Quantum Data business must be kept strictly confidential. You may be required to sign a Confidential Information Agreement to this effect.

Customer Relations

The success of Quantum Data depends upon the quality of the relationships between Quantum Data, our employees, our customers, our suppliers and the general public. Our customers' impression of Quantum Data and their interest and willingness to purchase from us is greatly formed by the people who serve them. In a sense, regardless of your position, you are Quantum Data's ambassador. The more goodwill you promote, the more our customers will respect and appreciate you, Quantum Data and Quantum Data's products and services.

Here are several things you can do to help give customers a good impression of Quantum Data:

• Act competently and deal with customers in a courteous and respectful manner.
• Communicate pleasantly and respectfully with other employees at all times.
• Follow up on orders and questions promptly, provide businesslike replies to inquiries and requests, and perform all duties in an orderly manner.
• Take great pride in your work and enjoy doing your very best.

These are the building blocks for your and Quantum Data's continued success. Thank you for adding your support.

Quantum Data will provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, political belief or activity, or status as a veteran.

The policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation benefits, social and recreational programs, and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

It is the policy of Quantum Data to comply with all the relevant and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Quantum Data will not discriminate against any qualified employee or job applicant with respect to any terms, privileges, or conditions of employment because of a person's physical or mental disability. Quantum Data also will make reasonable accommodation wherever necessary for all employees or applicants with disabilities, provided that the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform the duties and assignments connected with the job and provided that any accommodations made do not require significant difficulty or expense.

Equal employment opportunity notices are posted on appropriate employee bulletin boards as required by law. The notices summarize the rights of employees to equal opportunity in employment and lists the names and addresses of the various government agencies that may be contacted in the event that any person believes he or she has been discriminated against.

Management is primarily responsible for seeing that Quantum Data's equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, but all members of the staff share in the responsibility for assuring that by their personal actions the policies are effective and apply uniformly to everyone.

Any employees, including managers, involved in discriminatory practices will be subject to discharge.

Note: Throughout this Employee Manual, masculine pronouns such as he, his, or him shall be construed so as to include both sexes.

Depending on the circumstances, Quantum Data may consider a former employee for re -employment. Such applicants are subject to Quantum Data's usual pre-employment procedures. To be considered, an applicant must have been in good standing at the time of their previous termination of employment with Quantum Data and must have provided at least two weeks advance notice of their intention to terminate their employment with Quantum Data.

Reinstatement of Benefits (Bridging)

In the event you return to work for Quantum Data, regardless of the length of your previous employment and length of time since you terminated your employment with Quantum Data, your benefits shall accrue as if you were a new/first-time Quantum Data employee.

Quantum Data intends to provide a work environment that is pleasant, healthful, comfortable, and free from intimidation, hostility or other offenses which might interfere with work performance. Harassment of any sort - verbal, physical, visual - will not be tolerated.

What Is Harassment?

Harassment can take many forms. It may be, but is not limited to: words, signs, jokes, pranks, intimidation, physical contact, or violence. Harassment is not necessarily sexual in nature.

Sexually harassing conduct may include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or any other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature that prevents an individual from effectively performing the duties of their position or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment, or when such conduct is made a condition of employment or compensation, either implicitly or explicitly.

Responsibility

All Quantum Data employees, and particularly managers, have a responsibility for keeping our work environment free of harassment. Any employee who becomes aware of an incident of harassment, whether by witnessing the incident or being told of it, must report it to their immediate manager or any management representative with whom they feel comfortable. When management becomes aware that harassment might exist, it is obligated by law to take prompt and appropriate action, whether or not the victim wants the company to do so.

Reporting

Any incidents of harassment must be immediately reported to a manager or other management representative. Appropriate investigation and disciplinary action will be taken. All reports will be promptly investigated with due regard for the privacy of everyone involved. Any employee found to have harassed a fellow employee or subordinate will be subject to severe disciplinary action or possible discharge. Quantum Data will also take any additional action necessary to appropriately remedy the situation. No adverse employment action will be taken for any employee making a good faith report of alleged harassment.

Quantum Data accepts no liability for harassment of one employee by another employee. The individual who makes unwelcome advances, threatens or in any way harasses another employee is personally liable for such actions and their consequences. Quantum Data will not provide legal, financial or any other assistance to an individual accused of harassment if a legal complaint is filed.

Quantum Data reserves the right to require an employee to participate in a health examination to determine the employee's fitness to perform his/her essential job functions. All such health exams shall be paid for by the company.

We carefully select our employees through written application, personal interview and reference checks. After all available information was carefully considered and evaluated, you were selected to become a member of our team.

This careful selection process helps Quantum Data to find and employ people who are concerned with their own personal success and the success of Quantum Data; people who want to do a job well and who can carry on their work with skill and ability; and people who are comfortable with Quantum Data and who can work well with our team.

Your first ninety (90) days of employment at Quantum Data are considered an Introductory Period, and during that period you will not accrue benefits described in this Manual unless otherwise required by law. This Introductory Period will be a time for getting to know your fellow employees, your manager and the tasks involved in your job position, as well as becoming familiar with Quantum Data's products and services. Your manager will work closely with you to help you understand the needs and processes of your job.

This Introductory Period is a try-out time for both you, as an employee, and Quantum Data, as an employer. During this Introductory Period, Quantum Data will evaluate your suitability for employment, and you can evaluate Quantum Data as well. At any time during this first ninety (90) days, you may resign without any detriment to your record. If, during this period, your work habits, attitude, attendance or performance do not measure up to our standards, we may release you. If you take approved time off in excess of five workdays during the Introductory Period, the Introductory Period may be extended by that length of time.

At the end of the Introductory Period, your manager will discuss your job performance with you. This review will be much the same as the normal job performance review that is held for regular full-time or part-time employees on an annual basis. During the course of the discussion, you are encouraged to give your comments and ideas as well.

Please understand that completion of the Introductory Period does not guarantee continued employment for any specified period of time, nor does it require that an employee be discharged only for "cause."

A former employee who has been rehired after a separation from Quantum Data of more than one (1) year is considered an introductory employee during their first ninety (90) days following rehire.

After having learned to competently perform your own duties, your next step is to familiarize yourself with other Quantum Data activities. This can prove valuable to you, our customers and Quantum Data as well. Quantum Data may provide additional "cross-training."

Knowledge of the services and products of Quantum Data will help you avoid the "I don't know" syndrome. Our customers' confidence in you increases as you are able to answer their basic questions. However, please don't pretend you know the answer or try to guess the answer when you are uncertain. If you are unsure of the correct information, refer the inquiry to your manager, or to a person more qualified to respond.

Certain new employees, such as outside/field salespeople and others, may be required to sign a Non-Compete Agreement prepared by our attorneys as a condition of employment.

What you do on your free time is your own business. However, if you are employed by Quantum Data in a full-time position, Quantum Data will expect that your position here is your primary employment. Any outside activity must not interfere with your ability to properly perform your job duties at Quantum Data.

If you are thinking of taking on a second job, it would be wise to notify your manager immediately. He or she will thoroughly discuss this opportunity with you to make sure that it will not interfere with your job at Quantum Data nor pose a conflict of interest.

Federal regulations require that 1) before becoming employed, all applicants must complete and sign Federal Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Form; and 2) all applicants who are hired need to present documents of identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

If you and members of your immediate family are employed by Quantum Data, one may not supervise the other nor may they work in the same department. If the employees are unable to develop a workable solution, the President of Quantum Data will decide which employee may be transferred in such situations. For purposes of this section, your immediate family includes your spouse, your children, your siblings, your parents, your grandparents, and your spouse's children, siblings, parents and grandparents.

Should two present employees that work together or supervise each other enter into a personal, non-work related relationship, one or both employees may have to be transferred.

Employees working in the Personnel department may not be related to employees working outside that department.

When you are hired in or promoted to the position of salesperson, you will be asked to sign an agreement that cites certain terms and conditions regarding your position as a salesperson. The purpose of this agreement, among other things, is to clearly establish the terms for commission payment, territory assignment, etc.

Quantum Data may exercise its right to inspect all packages and parcels entering and leaving our premises.

Should your spouse accept employment with a competitor firm, Quantum Data reserves the right to terminate your employment with us.

Should your spouse be employed with a competitor firm, Quantum Data reserves the right not to hire you or to terminate your employment with us.

Standards of Conduct

Whenever people gather together to achieve goals, some rules of conduct are needed to help everyone work together efficiently, effectively, and harmoniously. Some people have problems with "rules" and "authority figures," and past experience may have justified these thoughts and feelings; however, at Quantum Data, we hold ourselves to a high standard of quality where the rules and authority figures simply assure that quality is maintained.

By accepting employment with us, you have a responsibility to Quantum Data and to your fellow employees to adhere to certain rules of behavior and conduct. The purpose of these rules is not to restrict your rights, but rather to be certain that you understand what conduct is expected and necessary. When each person is aware that he or she can fully depend upon fellow workers to follow the rules of conduct, then our organization will be a better place to work for everyone. 

Disciplinary Actions

Unacceptable Activities

Generally speaking, we expect each person to act in a mature and responsible way at all times. However, to avoid any possible confusion, some of the more obvious unacceptable activities are noted below. Your avoidance of these activities will be to your benefit as well as the benefit of Quantum Data. If you have any questions concerning any work or safety rule, or any of the unacceptable activities listed, please see your manager for an explanation.

Occurrences of any of the following violations, because of their seriousness, may result in immediate dismissal without warning:

• Willful violation of any company rule; any deliberate action that is extreme in nature and is obviously detrimental to Quantum Data's efforts to operate profitably.
• Willful violation of security or safety rules or failure to observe safety rules or Quantum Data safety practices; failure to wear required safety equipment; tampering with Quantum Data equipment or safety equipment.
• Negligence or any careless action which endangers the life or safety of another person.
• Being intoxicated or under the influence of controlled substance drugs while at work; use or possession or sale of controlled substance drugs in any quantity while on company premises except medications prescribed by a physician which do not impair work performance.
• Unauthorized possession of dangerous or illegal firearms, weapons or explosives on company property or while on duty.
• Engaging in criminal conduct or acts of violence, or making threats of violence toward anyone on company premises or when representing Quantum Data; fighting, or horse play or provoking a fight on company property, or negligent damage of property.
• Insubordination or refusing to obey instructions properly issued by your manager pertaining to your work; refusal to help out on a special assignment.
• Threatening, intimidating or coercing fellow employees on or off the premises - at any time, for any purpose.
• Engaging in an act of sabotage; willfully or with gross negligence causing the destruction  or damage of company property, or the property of fellow employees, customers, suppliers, or visitors in any manner.
• Theft of company property or the property of fellow employees; unauthorized possession or removal of any company property, including documents, from the premises without prior permission from management; unauthorized use of company equipment or property for personal reasons; using company equipment for profit.
• Dishonesty; willful falsification or misrepresentation on your application for employment or other work records; lying about sick or personal leave; falsifying reason for a leave of absence or other data requested by Quantum Data; alteration of company records or other company documents.
• Violating the non-disclosure agreement; giving confidential or proprietary Quantum Data information to competitors or other organizations or to unauthorized Quantum Data employees; working for a competing business while a Quantum Data employee; breach of confidentiality of personnel information.
• Malicious gossip and/or spreading rumors; engaging in behavior designed to create discord and lack of harmony; interfering with another employee on the job; willfully restricting work output or encouraging others to do the same.
• Immoral conduct or indecency on company property.
• Conducting a lottery or gambling on company premises.

Occurrences of any of the following activities, as well as violations of any Quantum Data rules or policies, may be subject to disciplinary action, including possible immediate dismissal. This list is not all-inclusive and, notwithstanding this list, all employees remain employed "at will."

• Unsatisfactory or careless work; failure to meet production or quality standards as explained to you by your manager; mistakes due to carelessness or failure to get necessary instructions.
• Any act of harassment, sexual, racial or other; telling sexist or racial-type jokes; making racial or ethnic slurs.
• Leaving work before the end of a workday or not being ready to work at the start of a workday without approval of your manager; stopping work before time specified for such purposes.
• Sleeping on the job; loitering or loafing during working hours.
• Excessive use of company telephone for personal calls.
• Smoking on Company premises.
• Creating or contributing to unsanitary conditions.
• Posting, removing or altering notices on any bulletin board on company property without permission of an officer of Quantum Data.
• Failure to report an absence or late arrival; excessive absence or lateness.
• Obscene or abusive language toward any manager, employee or customer; indifference or rudeness towards a customer or fellow employee; any disorderly/antagonistic con duct on company premises.
• Failure to immediately report damage to, or an accident involving company equipment.
• Soliciting during working hours and/or in working areas; selling merchandise or collecting funds of any kind for charities or others without authorization during business hours, or at a time or place that interferes with the work of another employee on company premises.
• Failure to maintain a neat and clean appearance in terms of the standards established by your manager; any departure from accepted conventional modes of dress or personal grooming; wearing improper or unsafe clothing.
• Eating food and beverages in undesignated areas.

Unacceptable behavior which does not lead to immediate dismissal may be dealt with in the following manner:

Discipline

The Discipline Policy applies to all regular employees who have completed the introductory period.

This policy pertains to matters of conduct as well as the employee's competence. However, an employee who does not display satisfactory performance and accomplishment on the job may be dismissed, in certain cases, without resorting to the steps set forth in this policy.

Under normal circumstances, managers are expected to follow the three-step procedure outlined below. There may be particular situations, however, in which the seriousness of the offense justifies the omission of one or more of the steps in the procedure. Likewise, there may be times when the company may decide to repeat a disciplinary step.

To insure that Quantum Data business is conducted properly and efficiently, you must conform to certain standards of attendance, conduct, work performance and other work rules and regulations.

When a problem in these areas does arise, your manager will coach and counsel you in mutually developing an effective solution. If, however, you fail to respond to coaching or counseling, or an incident occurs requiring formal discipline, the following procedures occur.

Step One: Oral Reminder

Your manager will meet with you to discuss the problem, making sure that you understand the nature of the violation and the expected remedy. The purpose of this conversation is to remind you of exactly what the rule or performance expectation is and also remind you that it is your responsibility to meet that expectation.

You will be informed that the Oral Reminder is the first step of the discipline procedure. Your manager will fully document the Oral Reminder, which will remain in effect for 1 month. Documentation of the incident will remain in the department file and will not be placed in your permanent record, unless another disciplinary transaction occurs.

Step Two: Written Reminder

If your performance does not improve within the 1 month period, or if the you are again in violation of Quantum Data practices, rules or standards of conduct, your manager, after reviewing the situation with their manager, will discuss the problem with you, emphasizing the seriousness of the problem and the need for you to immediately remedy the problem.

Following the conversation, your manager will write a memo to you summarizing the discussion. The original memo will go to you and a copy will be routed to the Human Resources department. The Human Resources copy of the memo will be placed in your file.

The Written Reminder will remain in effect for 1 month.

Step Three: Decision-Making Leave

If your performance does not improve within the 1 month period following a Written Reminder, or if you are again in violation of Quantum Data practices, rules or standards of conduct, you will be placed on Decision Making Leave. The Decision Making Leave is the final step of Quantum Data's disciplinary system.

Decision Making Leave is a paid, one-day disciplinary suspension. Employees on Decision Making Leave will spend the following day away from work deciding whether to correct the immediate problem and conform to all of the company's practices, rules and standards of conduct, or to quit and terminate their employment with Quantum Data.

If your decision following the Decision Making Leave is to return to work and abide by Quantum Data practices, rules and standards of conduct, your manager will write a letter to you explaining your commitment and the consequences of failing to meet this commitment. You will be required to sign the letter to acknowledge receipt. A copy of the letter will be routed to senior managers in your chain of command. A copy will be placed in your personnel file.

You will be allowed to return to work with the understanding that if a positive change in behavior does not occur, or if another disciplinary problem occurs within the next 1 month you will be terminated.

If you are unwilling to make such a commitment, you may be terminated.

Crisis Suspension

If you commit any of the actions listed below, or any other action not specified but similarly serious, you will be suspended without pay pending the investigation of the situation. Following the investigation you may be terminated without any previous disciplinary action having been taken.

1. Theft
2. Falsification of Company records
3. Failure to follow safety practices
4. Conflict of interest
5. Threat of, or the act of doing bodily harm
6. Willful or negligent destruction of property
7. Use and/or possession of intoxicants, drugs or narcotics
8. Neglect of duty
9. Refusal to perform assigned work or to follow a direct order

Discipline Deactivation

Step 1 of the procedure (Oral Reminder) will be in effect for 3 months.

Step 2 (Written Reminder) will be in effect for 6 months.

Step 3 (Decision Making Leave) will be in effect for 9 months.

If no further performance problems occur during the active period, the discipline procedure will be formally deactivated at the end of the appropriate time period. Your manager will initiate a memo advising you of the inactive status of discipline and, when appropriate, commend you for performance improvement.

Employment and compensation with Quantum Data is "at will" in that they can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either Quantum Data or yourself, except as otherwise provided by law.

If your performance is unsatisfactory due to lack of ability, failure to abide by Quantum Data rules or failure to fulfill the requirements of your job, you will be notified of the problem. If satisfactory change does not occur, you may be dismissed. Some incidents may result in immediate dismissal.