Infosys Faces Backlash Over Mass Terminations
In a significant development, Infosys has come under scrutiny following the dismissal of approximately 700 trainees on February 7. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has received over a hundred complaints from the affected employees, who are seeking reinstatement and measures to prevent similar terminations in the future. The central labor ministry has intervened, urging Karnataka’s labor commissioner to address the situation at the company’s Mysuru facility.
Employee Grievances Escalate
The grievances filed with the PMO highlight the concerns of former trainees who were let go after failing an internal assessment program. Many of these employees, recruited from various campuses two and a half years ago, only began their roles in October. The labor ministry’s letter, dated February 25, emphasizes the need for intervention to ensure fair treatment and to prevent future dismissals. The ministry noted that the state holds jurisdiction over labor law matters in this case. The letter also mentioned that the 117 complainants have been informed about the ministry’s actions. Harpreet Singh Saluja, the president of NITES, an organization focused on IT employees’ welfare, has been copied on the correspondence, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
Infosys Responds to Criticism
In response to the backlash, Infosys has clarified its position regarding the terminations. The company asserts that the actual number of employees who “resigned” is closer to 350, as opposed to the 700 reported. Infosys maintains that its rigorous recruitment process, which includes assessment tests, is crucial for ensuring high-quality talent for its clients. The firm emphasized that failing these assessments leads to contract termination, a policy clearly communicated to all trainees. Infosys acknowledged the disappointment of those who did not pass the assessments but stressed the importance of understanding the context surrounding these evaluations. The company reiterated that its assessment procedures are detailed in an evaluation policy document, which is shared with trainees during their induction.
Concerns Over Assessment Fairness
Affected employees have raised concerns about the fairness of the assessment process, claiming that the difficulty level was significantly higher than in previous evaluations. This has led to questions about the transparency and validity of the testing methods used by Infosys. The company has responded by stating that all eligible trainees, over 98%, received their relieving letters upon separation, along with severance pay and outplacement services. Infosys’s statement emphasized its commitment to maintaining a high standard of employee quality and the importance of performance evaluations in the development of its trainees. The company aims to ensure that all trainees are aware of the evaluation criteria and the implications of their performance.
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