Infosys, the second-largest technology outsourcing company in India, is urging its employees to return to the office for at least three days a week. The company plans to make this mandatory soon, after previous requests were largely ignored by the employees. The decision comes as Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy has repeatedly emphasized the need for longer work hours to increase productivity and economic growth.
ET quoted an email sent by vertical heads, the Bangalore-based software company which stated, “Please start coming to the office at least 3 days a week. It will become mandatory very shortly.” Infosys has not provided any comment on this matter.
The email expressed dissatisfaction with the employees’ lack of response to previous requests to return to the office. It stated that the three-year work-from-home arrangement due to the Covid-19 pandemic has been long enough. Unless there are medical reasons, employees are expected to start working from the office, the email further added.
The management was disappointed with some empty delivery units (DUs), and therefore, it has requested immediate attendance at the offshore development centres (ODCs) for clients. However, the company has mentioned that it will consider requests from employees with health-related issues on a case-by-case basis, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Wipro, another prominent IT company, has warned its employees about the “consequences” of repeatedly defying its hybrid work policy, which requires employees to be present in the office for three days a week. The company has stated that there may be denial or withholding of certain benefits for those who do not comply. The action would be effective January 7, the report said. A Wipro spokesperson mentioned that the company will adopt a hybrid work approach.
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Tata Consultancy Services, India’s largest software services firm, has also taken steps towards resuming a normal office routine.
In a separate email, Infosys informed its employees that it will charge a fee of Rs 150 per day for bus services, with a monthly cap of Rs 1,500, starting from January 3. Additionally, the health club facilities will incur a charge of Rs 100 per day, with a monthly cap of Rs 700, effective from January 1. These services were previously free of charge to encourage employees to return to the office.
Before the pandemic, eligible Infosys employees had the option to work from home for nine days in a month. If the new rule is enforced, the attendance system will revert to the pre-pandemic norm.
In October, several IT and tech firms, including Wipro, Capgemini, and LTIMindtree, started encouraging their employees to return to the office, marking a reversal of the work-from-home trend.
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Last month, Infosys asked select employees to work from the office for 10 days a month, starting from November 20. The company aimed to increase physical proximity with teams and colleagues while maintaining the flexibility of remote work.
NR Narayana Murthy recently reiterated the importance of working 70 hours a week to enhance productivity and India’s competitiveness in an interview.
The IT sector, which has experienced slowing growth and reduced headcount, is emphasizing in-person presence and physical collaboration among teams to improve efficiency.
