Infosys Tightens Work-From-Office Policy: 10 Days a Month Mandate
Infosys, a leading IT giant, is making waves with its updated hybrid work policy. Starting March 10, 2025, employees at Job Level 5 (JL5) and below will be required to work from the office for a minimum of 10 days per month. This significant shift affects a large portion of Infosys's 3.23 lakh workforce, including software engineers, senior engineers, and consultants. The company is implementing system-level changes to its attendance tracking app to enforce this new mandate.
Why the Change?
Infosys cites several reasons for this move. Post-pandemic, the company observed a decrease in office attendance. Concerns about reduced collaboration, weakened workplace culture, and the potential for moonlighting have prompted the stricter policy. This follows an earlier initiative in November 2023, which designated specific "in-person collaboration" weeks. The new 10-day minimum aims to strike a balance between the flexibility of remote work and the benefits of in-office interaction.
How the New Policy Works
The change will be implemented through Infosys's employee attendance mobile app. WFH requests will no longer be automatically approved. Employees must actively schedule their office days to meet the 10-day minimum. Failure to meet this requirement may result in deductions from leave balances.
Impact and Industry Trends
This move is part of a larger trend among IT companies re-evaluating their hybrid work models. Companies like TCS and Wipro have also introduced stricter return-to-office policies. Infosys's approach, however, is notable for its direct system-level intervention to manage WFH requests. While intended to boost collaboration and workplace culture, the impact on employee morale and productivity remains to be seen. It's a crucial example of how major companies are adapting to the evolving needs of a post-pandemic workforce.
Who is Affected?
The new policy primarily impacts employees at JL5 and below. This includes a significant portion of the technical workforce. Managers and senior management (JL6 and above) are currently excluded from this requirement.
Conclusion
Infosys's new 10-day work-from-office policy represents a significant shift in the company's approach to hybrid work. While aiming to improve collaboration and address concerns about remote work, the long-term effects on employee satisfaction and productivity will be closely watched. This decision highlights the ongoing evolution of work models in the IT industry as companies navigate the complexities of a post-pandemic landscape.