Flexi work model is here to stay, was around even before Covid: Infosys

Coming to work voluntary, though firm is encouraging staff to come for 1-2 days a week; statement is of significance as several firms are asking employees to head back to office

At a time when companies are trying to get employees to office, India’s second-largest information technology (IT) services firm has said that a flexible work model will be a key focus for the firm.

Satish H C, executive vice-president and co-head of delivery, Infosys, says even before the pandemic, flexible work modes were available at the company.

“Assuming we have 20-22 working days in a month, employees were allowed to work 10-11 days from home (even before the pandemic). We will be malleable when it comes to employee work modes,” he says.

That the flexible model will continue at Infosys assumes significance as several companies are asking employees to head back to office.

India’s largest IT services firm, Tata Consultancy Services, has postulated the 25x25 model, which aims at having 25 per cent of employees coming to office by 2025. 

To achieve this, the company has been asking employees to first return to office.

At present, its senior executives are back in office at least thrice a week. The company has come up with a roster - employees have to be in office at least thrice a week.

Wipro, meanwhile, has been saying that coming back to office is crucial to build culture and trust.

“Coming to office is still voluntary, although we are encouraging employees to come in at least one/two days a week. A lot, of course, also hinges on what clients want,” says Satish.

What is perhaps helping Infosys get more employees to office is its strategy of setting up offices in smaller states closer to talent.

“We are opening centres in Vizag, Coimbatore, Kolkata, and Noida. We already have centres in Indore and Nagpur. Each of these centres will have a seating capacity of 1,000 and can be extended on demand,” adds Satish.

When it comes to getting new faces on board, the company has opened up its Mysuru campus.

“We have started our in-person training programmes and are gradually rolling them out at the Mysuru campus,” he adds.

When asked about the company’s announcement last year allowing employees to moonlight, Satish says: “We allow employees to take up gig work within the company. A recent number to share would be some 4,000 applied for various projects, of which 600 were selected.”

On moonlighting for projects outside Infosys, he says: “If the employee informs his manager and his/her work does not have a conflict of interest, it is fine by us.”

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