Infosys plans mandatory office return amid productivity focus
BANGALORE, INDIA — Indian IT services firm Infosys is directing its employees to work from the office at least three days per week, with plans to make it compulsory soon.
The move comes after previous voluntary return requests saw low turnout and follows co-founder Narayana Murthy’s calls for longer work hours to enhance productivity.
Infosys vertical heads recently emailed their staff, expressing dissatisfaction with the limited office attendance. They stated that the three-year pandemic remote work arrangement has been sufficient and that employees must start working from the office premises, barring medical issues.
The management also expressed dissatisfaction with consistently unoccupied delivery units. The immediate attendance directive intends to address this and meet client needs at offshore development centers.
The decision aligns with Murthy’s recent 70-hour week proposal to boost output. It also reflects a broader industry shift, with IT firms focused on in-person interactions to lift efficiency amid slowing growth.
Infosys stated that they will consider health exceptions case-by-case. It has also reinstated charges for employee transportation and health facilities, which were previously made free to encourage office return.
Other Indian IT firms are also calling back employees to the office. Wipro warned its employees about the “consequences” of repeatedly defying its hybrid work policy, which requires employees to be in the office three days a week. The company stated a possible denial or withholding of certain benefits for those who do not comply.
Similarly, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has also taken steps towards resuming a five-day office routine to teach its employees the “TCS values and the TCS way.”
