Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kiran Analytics?
Kiran Analytics has been in business for 20 years and provides software and consulting services to retail banks, the food and beverage industry, and travel and tourism clients. The best way to learn about the company is to visit our website, www.kiran.com.
What are the Field Study Projects all about?
Our field study projects are typically provided for retail banking clients. We train individuals like you to work as Field Study Observers, which we call “Observers” for short. Observers work on site in the client’s locations (a bank branch for example) performing observations and timings of certain business processes. Observers use handheld computers to enter information about what they observe. The data is sent back to our offices for analysis. Kiran has performed these types of projects for retail banks throughout the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. Kiran provides Observers with the training and tools they need to perform their role successfully.
Who do you hire as Field Study Observers?
Kiran hires individuals with retail banking experience to be Field Study Observers. These individuals are professional, coachable and enthusiastic about their work. Observers need to be responsible individuals with a solid work history and eligible to work in a retail bank. Finally, Observers need to be willing and flexible to travel during the course of any given project. Most projects are US based. Observers for overseas projects are staffed from individuals in the countries where the observations are being performed. Visit our website to learn more about Observers who have worked on these projects over the years. http://kiran.com/field-study-project/field-service-team-members
Will I be hired as an employee or a contractor?
Observers are hired as temporary W2 employees. For individuals who have an LLC formed, we may in some cases be able to pay your company.
How do I get paid?
For payroll and related services, Kiran Analytics partners with TriNet Services a Professional Employer Organization. This is true for both temporary and long term employees. Paychecks are issued by TriNet.
Payroll is run twice monthly. Your pay check will be mailed to your home address.
All federal and state taxes will be withheld according to the details you provide on your W4 tax form. At the end of the year, you will receive a W2 from TriNet Services.
Am I eligible for benefits?
Temporary employees are not eligible for health insurance, 401K or other company benefits.
Am I required to travel?
Most Field Study Observers travel for some or all weeks of any given project. While we try to place consultants locally, many times we will need to send you to a location outside of your home city. While we do our best to accommodate travel requests and needs, you must be absolutely flexible to travel anywhere required. All travel is within the continental US. Safe, clean, and comfortable hotel accommodations are provided at nationally recognized hotel chains.
Will I be reimbursed for travel costs?
Yes. Kiran Analytics, Inc. will make air and hotel reservations for you. The company will also prepay these reservations.
If you are traveling for your assignment, you will incur transportation, meal and incidental costs. These expenses are covered in accordance with the company travel policy. Reimbursement checks will be mailed to your home address within 10 days of when your expense report is submitted.
Why do I need to have a credit card if Kiran pays for all the travel and meals?
While Kiran pays in advance for airfare and hotel accommodations (when they are required), you will incur expenses that are reimbursable while on an assignment requiring travel. An example would be for meals. You will need to have a credit card with an available balance in order to pay for these things. Your authorized expenses are promptly reimbursed by Kiran.
What if the branch I’m assigned to doesn’t require flying to a new city, but is still more than an hour commute from my home? Can I stay in hotel?
Yes. If the branch where you are assigned is more than 60 minutes commute time from where you live, talk to the project leader about eligibility for travel and accommodation expense. We will work with you to provide hotel accommodations at the company’s expense.
Will I work for the entire duration of the project?
Typically, we staff projects so that all Observers work for all of the weeks of the project, except one. However, situations quickly change and we may need to place you in a location for a week to which you were not originally assigned. On a four week project, most Field Study Observers work 3 weeks, plus the two days of training. About one-third work all four weeks. It is important that you be available for any and all of the four weeks. All assignments are subject to Observers’ satisfactory performance.
I am currently unemployed. How will this temporary work assignment affect my unemployment?
Many individuals who were unemployed have worked with us on a temporary basis and then resumed their unemployment benefits after the assignment was complete.
As a temporary employee with Kiran Analytics, Inc. your employment will be reported as a temporary work assignment. Once the project has ended, you are able to continue to file unemployment claims in most, if not all states. Please see your state’s unemployment insurance website for more specific instructions. If you are a resident of California, please visit: http://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/UI_Tip_Sheets_and_Fact_Sheets.htm
Also, as Kiran Analytics, Inc. is in a co-employment relationship with TriNet, you will be given access to the Employee Solution Center where they will be able to answer any questions you have about unemployment insurance, regardless of what state you live in.