Narayan Murthy’s Infosys is under spotlight after firing around 400 trainees at its Mysore campus on February 7. The company terminated those who failed to clear the compulsory internal assessment test on their third attempt. Several employees became emotional and felt betrayed after they were shown the exit door.
The tough decision left the trainees lurching even as the fear of speaking the truth escalated. The trainees had reportedly awaited their turn for a long, two and a half years, after receiving their offer letters in 2022.
Security staff and bouncers started escorting them out of the premises at 9:30 am on Friday morning. Groups of 50 trainees assembled with their laptops as the layoffs began in a well-organised way.
Infosys responded to PTI saying the company policy dictates that new employees cannot stay with the company if they fail all three attempts to clear the assessment. This policy has been part of an employee contract for more than 20 years, the company reiterated to PTI.
“This is cruelty, it is a big company, and trainees fear speaking the truth,” a terminated trainee told MoneyControl on condition of anonymity.
“Please let me stay the night. I will leave tomorrow. Where will I go right now?”, an emotional female trainee from Madhya Pradesh, pleaded to the management. Infosys officials, however, declined her request saying, “We don’t know. You are no longer part of the company. Vacate the premises by 6pm.”
Another group of 450 trainees from October 21 batch are due for their third assessment test on February 14. Besides, the trainees now require 65% to pass instead of 50% as per the latest modifications in the evaluation process.
The extended training course now incorporates around 200 hours of study material. The trainees will now have to do additional eight hours of self-study daily.
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