Infosys lays off hundreds of freshers from Mysuru training campus

Bengaluru: On Friday IT services giant Infosys Ltd has admittedly laid off over 300 freshers it had hired and who have undergone the foundation training at the Mysuru campus over the past few months.  However, the number retrenched has turned contentious with the IT-sector union Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) insisting that it is 700.

Interestingly, one of those laid off told DH that this was the first time Infosys has laid off such a large number of people and estimated that the number was around 500.

“In a shocking and unethical move, Infosys has begun forcefully laying off around 700 campus recruits who were onboarded just a few months ago in October 2024. These employees had already endured a two-year-long wait after receiving their offer letters,” said Harpreet Singh Saluja, President, Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES).

According to the union, Infosys, on Friday, summoned these employees to meeting rooms at its Mysuru campus, where they were coerced into signing "mutual separation" letters under duress.

They were not even given a full day’s notice and were told to leave the premises by evening, despite them being from all over the country, the now former employee told DH, highlighting safety concerns of women in the situation.

“More layoffs will happen with the next few batches,” the ex-employee added.

Infosys said in an official statement, “Clarifying that the number is just above 300 and we have not forcefully terminated anyone.”

As per the statement, Infosys claimed to have a rigorous hiring process where all freshers, after undergoing foundational training at their Mysuru campus, were expected to clear internal assessments. All freshers get three attempts to clear the assessment, failing which they will not be able to continue with the organisation, as is also mentioned in their contract, said Infosys.

The email to employees read, “This is in continuation to the training assessment result communicated to you. A meeting has been scheduled with HRD on February 7, 2025, to discuss the next steps. You are required to maintain confidentiality, hence please do not discuss this, or share this calendar invite with anyone.”

DH saw a copy of the email.

Text messages that were exchanges between those affected pursuant to the meeting include - “Forced to resign.” “No discussion. Guards were there.” “Exit by 6pm today.” “They are calling it a mutual decision, our resignation and making us exit.” “HR asked why did you wait 2.5 years - should have found work elsewhere.” 

The Separation Agreement and General Release Statement, seen by DH, read, “You have decided to terminate your engagement effective February 7, 2025.” It also stated that they were engaged as a trainee following an offer letter on September 2, 2024.

According to NITES, Infosys’ actions contravene Indian labour laws, including the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The union is filing an official complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, demanding immediate intervention and strict action against Infosys.

According to complaints received by NITES, the company deployed bouncers and security personnel to intimidate employees, ensuring that they cannot carry mobile phones and are left with no way to document the incident or seek help.

“This blatant corporate exploitation cannot be allowed to continue, and we urge the government to take swift action to uphold the rights and dignity of Indian IT workers,” said Saluja.