Infosys Calls for Three Days in Office: A Shift in Indian IT Work Culture
Infosys, India’s second-largest tech outsourcing giant, is pushing its employees to return to the office at least thrice a week, intending to make it mandatory soon. Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy emphasizes longer work hours for improved productivity and economic growth, prompting this change in policy.
An email from the company to its employees stated, “Please start coming to the office at least 3 days a week. It will become mandatory very shortly.” This decision results from dissatisfaction with the office return response. Employees had requested work-from-home during the pandemic’s three-year stint. Unless for medical reasons, they must now return to the office.
Infosys expressed concern about empty delivery units (DUs) and urged immediate attendance at offshore development centers (ODCs) for clients. However, the company assured consideration for health-related issues on a case-by-case basis.
Wipro, another IT giant, has warned of consequences for defying its hybrid work policy requiring three days in the office. Non-compliance could result in the denial or withholding of certain benefits, effective from January 7.
Tata Consultancy Services, India’s largest software services firm, is also moving towards a normalized office routine.
In a related development, Infosys announced fees for certain services previously free to encourage office return. Beginning January 3, buses will have a daily fee of Rs 150 (monthly max Rs 1,500), and health club access will be Rs 100 per day (monthly max Rs 700) starting January 1.
Pre-pandemic, eligible Infosys employees could work from home for nine days a month. If the new rule is enforced, the attendance system will revert to the pre-pandemic norm.
During the pandemic, companies such as Wipro, Capgemini, and LTIMindtree urged staff to return to offices, marking a shift from remote work. Infosys also asked some employees to work in-office for 10 days a month starting November 20, balancing proximity and remote flexibility.
NR Narayana Murthy, in a recent interview, reiterated the need for a 70-hour workweek to boost productivity and India’s competitiveness.
Infosys is changing India’s IT work culture, emphasizing in-person collaboration due to slowed growth and reduced headcount in the sector.