Infosys, one of India’s leading IT companies, is under scrutiny after reports emerged that over 300 freshers were let go at its Mysuru campus. The issue sparked controversy, with employee unions raising concerns over the process. However, the company has now clarified its stance, refuting claims that force or intimidation was involved.
Freshers Removed Over Performance Issues, Not Forced Exit
Infosys stated that the layoffs were based purely on performance. The freshers, who joined in October 2024 after waiting nearly two years for onboarding were unable to clear the company’s internal assessment despite being given three attempts. The company emphasized that it has no financial benefit in terminating freshers, as significant resources are spent on recruitment and training.
Labor Department Involvement and Infosys’ Response
The controversy escalated when the Karnataka Labor Department launched an investigation into the matter. Infosys assured full cooperation, explaining its training and evaluation process transparently. The company reiterated that this system is designed to ensure skilled professionals not just for Infosys but for the entire IT industry. As of now, no directive has been issued by the labor department to revoke the layoffs.
Infosys Plans to Hire More Freshers
Despite the layoffs, Infosys reaffirmed its commitment to hiring. The company announced plans to recruit 20,000 freshers in the next financial year. It also emphasized that its training center remains one of the largest in the IT sector, focusing on skill-building for new employees.
Employee Union Raises Concerns
The IT Employees Union, NITES (Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate), alleged that the affected freshers were pressured into signing resignation letters. The union further claimed that bouncers were present during the termination process to create an environment of fear.
Infosys Strongly Denies Allegations
In response to these claims, Infosys firmly denied any use of force. Shaji Mathew, the company’s Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), stated that the allegations regarding bouncers were completely false. He clarified that some freshers who wished to stay on campus were allowed to do so, and there was no coercion involved in their exit.
Extra Preparation Time for Next Batch of Freshers
Following the controversy, Infosys has postponed the next assessment for 800 freshers by a week. The company is also providing additional support through experts to help freshers improve their preparation. Furthermore, Infosys has extended financial assistance by offering one month’s salary to the affected employees to help them transition smoothly.
The Infosys layoffs issue remains a hot topic, with stakeholders closely watching further developments. While the company maintains that the exits were performance-based, the allegations raised by employee unions have added a layer of complexity to the matter.
