In a recent development, Infosys‘ Chief Human Resources Officer, Shaji Mathew, has confirmed that the Labour Department is in touch with the company regarding ongoing investigations. This announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over Infosys’ employment practices and compliance with labor laws.
In an interview with PTI, Mathew emphasised Infosys’ commitment to cooperating fully with the Labour Department. He stated, “We are in constant communication with the Labour Department and are providing all necessary information to assist with their inquiries. Infosys is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and transparency in all our operations.”
The Labour Department’s engagement with Infosys follows reports of alleged violations of labor laws, including issues related to employee working conditions and wage practices. The department is conducting a thorough investigation to ensure that Infosys adheres to all legal requirements and provides a fair and safe working environment for its employees.
Mathew reassured employees and stakeholders that Infosys is taking the matter seriously and is committed to addressing any concerns raised by the Labour Department. He added, “We have always prioritized the well-being of our employees and will continue to do so. We are confident that our practices are in line with the regulations, and we will work closely with the authorities to resolve any issues.”
He also acknowledged that the assessment failure rates this time were “slightly higher” than in previous instances. However, he dismissed claims that the tests were designed to ensure failure, stating that the trainees were terminated only after failing three consecutive internal assessments.
He explained that trainees are provided with three opportunities to pass the assessments, and if they are unable to do so after the third attempt, they must leave the organization. “This process has been in place for over two decades. Nothing has really changed,” he said. He also reassured prospective freshers that the company’s plans to hire 20,000 new employees in FY2025-26 are still on track.
Mass layoffs at Infosys
Infosys has come under fire for terminating hundreds of trainees at its Mysuru campus, leading to an outcry from employees, unions, and the public.
In an official statement, Infosys confirmed that the layoffs were a result of trainees failing to clear internal assessments after three attempts. The company emphasized that this policy has been in place for over two decades and is designed to ensure a high standard of talent for its clients. “All freshers undergo extensive foundational training at our Mysuru campus and are expected to clear internal assessments. Those who fail to do so after three attempts are not able to continue with the organization,” the statement read.
The layoffs have affected nearly 700 trainees, according to the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), an independent IT employees’ union. NITES has accused Infosys of unethical practices, including deploying security personnel during the termination process to intimidate employees.