Infosys Lays Off 300 Employees for Failing Internal Exams, Employee Union Seeks Government Intervention

IT services giant Infosys has laid off over 300 employees after they failed to clear the company’s internal assessment exams, despite being given three attempts. The move has sparked outrage, with IT employee union Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) claiming that the number of freshers affected is higher than what the company has stated. The union has also threatened to take the matter to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Infosys’ Justification for Layoffs

Infosys stated that all freshers undergo rigorous foundational training at its Mysuru campus and are required to pass internal assessments to continue their employment. The company defended its decision, emphasizing that the assessment process has been in place for over two decades to ensure high-quality talent availability for its clients.

“At Infosys, we have a rigorous hiring process where all freshers, after undergoing extensive foundational training at our Mysuru campus, are expected to clear internal assessments,” the company said in a statement to PTI. “This process ensures a high quality of talent availability for our clients.”

The company further clarified that this requirement is mentioned in the trainees’ contracts, stating that they must pass internal assessments within three attempts.

Employee Union’s Response

NITES has disputed Infosys’ claims, stating that the number of affected freshers is significantly higher. According to the union, these employees had been onboarded only a few months ago in October 2024 after enduring a two-year wait following their offer letters.

“These employees had already endured a two-year-long wait after receiving their offer letters, and their onboarding was only made possible after continuous efforts by NITES and the affected candidates,” the union said in a statement.

NITES further alleged that the employees were called into meeting rooms at the Mysuru campus and pressured to sign “mutual separation” letters.

“Given the gravity of the situation, NITES is filing an official complaint with the Ministry of Labour & Employment, demanding immediate intervention and strict action against Infosys,” the union stated.

Infosys CEO on Workplace Culture

The controversy comes at a time when Infosys CEO Salil Parekh recently addressed concerns regarding a toxic work culture in the company. In response to allegations, he maintained that the company ensures fair treatment of all employees.

“In terms of the employee question, within Infosys, we have a very clear approach to make sure that everyone is treated fairly. We have a well-defined process of looking at how performance is driven,” Parekh stated.

Financial Performance

Despite the controversy, Infosys has continued to report strong financial performance. The company announced its fiscal third-quarter earnings last month, posting a profit of ₹6,806 crore, marking an 11.46% year-on-year growth.

With the issue gaining traction, it remains to be seen how the Ministry of Labour and Employment responds to NITES’ complaint and whether Infosys revisits its stance on employee layoffs due to internal assessments.

Sources By Agencies

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