Infosys, India’s second-largest IT services provider, is reportedly gearing up to institute a mandatory three-day work-from-office (WFO) policy for its employees. The move is aimed at restoring a semblance of normal office routine after the management’s efforts to encourage a return to traditional office setups faced challenges.
According to sources mentioned in The Economic Times, an email from vertical heads at Infosys highlighted the dissatisfaction with the limited compliance to return-to-office initiatives, signaling an imminent shift to a mandatory three-day office attendance. However, Infosys has not issued an official statement regarding this development as of now.
The email emphasized that the three-year work-from-home arrangement post-Covid had been sufficient and, except for medical reasons, employees must resume office work. Expressing concern about empty delivery units, the email called for immediate attendance at campuses housing offshore development centers (ODCs) for clients.
While Infosys management is reportedly open to considering health-related exceptions on a case-by-case basis, they are dissatisfied with the absenteeism trend at certain delivery units. This move aligns with the broader trend in the IT sector, emphasizing in-person presence in offices to enhance efficiency amid a slowdown in growth and reduced headcounts.
The report notes that Wipro has already warned its employees of consequences for repeatedly defying its hybrid work policy, which requires reporting to the office for three days a week. This shift back to a mandatory three-day office attendance for Infosys reflects broader concerns in the industry about data security and employee conduct during remote work setups.
“If the new rule is enforced, it will bring back the pre-pandemic attendance system,” underlining the potential return to the traditional office routine that Infosys had before the Covid-induced lockdown. The move suggests a strategic effort to balance the benefits of remote work with the need for in-person collaboration and efficiency.