Infosys, India's second-largest IT services company, is tightening its hybrid work model by making office attendance mandatory for at least 10 days per month, according to a report by a news agency.
The company has introduced a new attendance tracking system to ensure compliance and restrict excessive work-from-home (WFH) requests.
The new policy will take effect from March 10, 2025, impacting thousands of employees across different job levels.
According to an internal email sent to employees, functional heads at Infosys have outlined the updated hybrid work model, emphasizing “system interventions” to monitor attendance. Employees must adhere to the 10-day office attendance rule or follow specific business requirements that may demand more frequent in-person work.
To enforce compliance, Infosys will implement an automated attendance tracking system that will limit the number of work-from-home requests employees can make. The system will be integrated into the company’s existing attendance mobile app, making it easier to monitor daily check-ins.
The policy applies to employees at Job Level 5 (JL5) and below, including:
Team Leaders
Software Engineers
Senior Engineers
System Engineers
Consultants
Higher-level employees at Job Level 6 (JL6) and above—such as Managers, Senior Managers, and Delivery Managers—will also need to follow the policy. However, Vice Presidents and executives in higher positions are exempt from the attendance rule.
Previously, employees had the flexibility to work remotely without strict limits, but now WFH requests will no longer be approved by default. Employees will have to ensure they work from the office for at least 10 days every month to avoid potential consequences.
A senior Infosys executive quoted in the report stated that the new system aims to improve collaboration while maintaining flexibility. However, Infosys has not officially responded to queries regarding the new policy.
While Infosys claims the updated policy will enhance team coordination and efficiency, employees have mixed reactions.
One Infosys employee expressed concerns about increased commute times, saying the previous remote work flexibility helped boost productivity and work-life balance. Others worry that the mandatory office attendance may lead to exhaustion and reduced efficiency, particularly for those in demanding roles.
To ensure compliance, any shortfall in office attendance will be deducted from an employee’s leave balance.
Infosys is not alone in implementing stricter return-to-office policies. Several IT companies have already enforced similar rules:
Requires employees to work from the office five days a week
Linked office attendance to variable pay
Enforces a hybrid model with three office days per week
Allows employees to work remotely for an additional 30 days per year
Infosys initially introduced return-to-office guidelines on November 20, 2023, designating key "in-person collaboration" weeks every quarter. However, the latest policy marks a significant shift toward stricter enforcement.
The move reflects a broader industry trend of IT companies pushing employees back to physical offices. While remote work was widely accepted during the pandemic, many firms believe that in-person interactions drive better collaboration, innovation, and productivity.
However, India’s IT workforce is still divided on the issue. While some employees see the benefits of returning to the office, others feel that flexible work arrangements lead to higher job satisfaction and efficiency.
As Infosys rolls out its compliance-tracking system and attendance monitoring, it remains to be seen how employees adapt to the policy and whether it will impact overall workforce morale.