Infosys, one of India’s leading IT companies, is set to lay off 400 trainee employees after they failed to clear an internal assessment, despite being given three attempts. The decision has sparked controversy, with affected employees alleging that the tests were deliberately made difficult.
Why is Infosys Laying Off Trainees?
According to a report by Moneycontrol, Infosys has a long-standing policy requiring freshers to pass an internal assessment after completing foundational training at its Mysore campus. Employees who fail the test three times are not allowed to continue with the company. This process, Infosys states, has been in place for over two decades to ensure high-quality talent for its clients.
The layoffs reportedly impact nearly half of the trainees hired in October 2024, many of whom were recruited as System Engineers (SE) and Digital Specialist Engineers (DSE).
Employees Claim Tests Were Unfairly Tough
Some affected employees argue that the tests were intentionally made difficult to push them out. A fired trainee told Moneycontrol, “The exams were so tough that it felt like they wanted us to fail. Many trainees are now left in distress, with some even fainting due to anxiety about their uncertain future.”
Adding to the tension, sources claim that Infosys deployed additional security personnel to prevent trainees from using mobile phones. However, Infosys has denied these allegations, clarifying that no bouncers were involved. Reports also suggest that trainees were asked to vacate the premises by 6 PM and were made to sign “mutual separation” letters in batches of around 50 people.
Employee Union Demands Action Against Infosys
The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), a union representing IT workers, has strongly opposed the layoffs. Harpreet Singh Saluja, president of NITES, called Infosys’ actions “shocking and unethical,” alleging that around 700 fresh recruits were forcibly dismissed. However, Infosys maintains that the number of impacted employees is below 350.
NITES has filed an official complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, urging immediate government intervention. “This blatant corporate exploitation cannot be allowed to continue. We demand strict action to protect the rights and dignity of Indian IT workers,” Saluja stated.
As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are on the government’s response and Infosys’ next steps.
