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Infosys' former US head of immigration files lawsuit

Erin Green, who was asked to leave Infosys last year, has alleged employee discrimination and retaliation by the IT firm's senior management.
Last Updated 21 June 2017, 10:29 IST

Infosys, the second-largest IT services company, is facing legal heat in the US as its former head of immigration filed a lawsuit for alleged employee discrimination and retaliation by senior management.

Erin Green, who joined Infosys in 2011 and headed immigration in the US, filed a lawsuit on June 19 before a US district court in the Eastern District of Texas, seeking a trial by a jury.

Green’s case is handled by Kilgore & Kilgore, PLC, a law firm based out of Texas. The mail sent by DH is still awaiting a response from the law firm.

When contacted by DH on the legal proceedings by the former US employee, the company said, “Infosys does not comment on ongoing litigation.”

According to the complaint, Green questioned discrimination against non-Asian employees at the company. Green resigned from Infosys last year and now works with Arnall Golden Gregory LLP based out of Atlanta as counsel. Before joining Infosys, Green also worked as Head of US Immigration Department at Kan-Tor & Acco for three years and Served as Senior Associate at EY for one year.

Green, during his stint at Infosys, reported to senior executives Vasudeva Nayak, who was the head of global immigration and Binod Hampapur, who was the executive vice-president and global head of talent and technology operations of Infosys.

Infosys is facing the complaint of Green at a time when the Chief Executive Officer Vishal Sikka is focussing on local hiring as the new Trump-led US administration put visa restriction and mooted ‘Buy American and Hire Amarican’ policy.

Sikka recently outlined his strategy for local hiring by committing to recruit 10,000 employees in the coming two years.

Commenting on the development, T V Mohandas Pai, former board member of Infosys, said the filing of lawsuit by Green against the company will not have any bearing on the company's intent to expand in the US.

"The filing of lawsuit by Green against Infosys alleging employee discrimination will not have any bearings on the company's intent to hire 10,000 Americans in the next two years," Pai said.

This is the second time that Infosys is facing discrimination charges. In 2013, four former employees of the company had filed similar lawsuit against the company alleging discrimination based on ethnicity.

Also Commenting on the development, Aston Business School, UK, Doctoral Research Scholar Sanjoy Sen said claims of discriminatory behaviour against Indian IT companies lodged by individuals of non - Indian origin are likely to get the benefit of public sentiment in the US and more attention than they deserve in the current environment of heightened anti - immigration approach to policy.  

“A perception does exist in certain quarters that employees of Indian origin have a deeper urge to learn, understand and work with technology supported by a stronger work ethic than their American counterparts. However, Indian IT companies must reinforce their anti - discriminatory policies and proper implementation of the same to manage the risks relating to loss of reputation, international business and shareholder value,” he said.

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(Published 21 June 2017, 10:29 IST)

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