Infosys tightens work-from-home policy, extra days require manager's approval

Infosys has rolled out a new policy that requires employees to work from the office a minimum of 10 days per month, with additional work-from-home (WFH) days now subject to manager approval. The Bengaluru-based IT giant introduced this update recently as part of its ongoing efforts to return to a hybrid work model.

A report by The Economic Times (ET) reveals that Infosys has implemented a "system intervention" to monitor compliance with the new mandate. Employees failing to meet the 10-day office attendance requirement will have their cases flagged by the system. To regularize extra WFH days, employees must now submit a request to their manager for approval.

This change was communicated to employees via Infosys’ internal app, where attendance is recorded. Previously, WFH requests were automatically approved, but the app now displays the total number of WFH days allocated for the month, showing the number used and the remaining days.

According to a senior Infosys executive, the new app feature eliminates automatic WFH approvals. As of now, employees are expected to work from the office at least 10 days per month. Any additional WFH days must be explicitly approved by their manager.

The company had previously sent an internal email to employees last week, reminding them to limit their WFH requests. The memo stated that, starting March 10, 2025, system interventions would restrict the number of WFH days per month to ensure employees comply with the updated hybrid work requirements. These guidelines also emphasize flexibility for employees while ensuring business needs are met.

The new policy affects employees at Job Level 5 (JL5) and below, including software engineers, senior engineers, system engineers, and consultants. However, managers at Job Level 6 (JL6) and above, such as senior managers and vice presidents, are exempt from the rule.

In response to the policy shift, a senior Infosys employee told ET that managers now have greater authority to approve or deny WFH requests, creating a situation where employees' ability to secure extra WFH days may depend on their relationship with their manager.

Infosys first introduced its return-to-office policy in November 2023 and has since implemented quarterly "in-person collaboration weeks," requiring employees to be physically present at the office to enhance teamwork. This new policy reflects a broader industry trend where IT firms, initially allowing WFH as a temporary solution post-pandemic, are now bringing employees back to the office due to factors like slowing business, employee moonlighting, and the need for better coordination.