The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has lodged a formal complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment against Infosys, accusing the IT giant of repeatedly delaying the onboarding process for approximately 2,000 campus recruits.
This delay has reportedly caused significant financial and emotional distress to the affected recruits.
NITES claims that these delays have persisted for over two years, leaving many recruits in a state of uncertainty. “Many had turned down other job offers in good faith, relying on Infosys’ offer letters. Now, they face financial hardship and uncertainty due to the lack of income and a clear onboarding timeline,” NITES stated. The union argues that Infosys’ actions constitute a serious breach of trust, as young professionals had expected a smooth transition into their careers.
The union has urged the Ministry of Labour and Employment to investigate the matter, emphasizing that Infosys has a moral and ethical obligation to support the recruits.
NITES demands that Infosys provide full salary payments for the delayed period and expedite access to the company’s employee assistance program to address the mental and emotional strain caused by the prolonged uncertainty. Additionally, NITES insists that if onboarding remains infeasible, Infosys should actively assist the recruits in finding alternative employment opportunities within the organization.
This is not the first instance of NITES taking action against IT firms for similar issues. Last October, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was issued a notice by the Maharashtra Ministry of Labour and Employment over a complaint filed by NITES, which alleged that TCS had delayed the onboarding of 200 lateral recruits.
The delays in onboarding recruits reflect a broader trend within the domestic IT services industry. Companies have reduced campus visits and slowed down the hiring of freshers, leading to a skewed pyramid structure.
The base of the pyramid, consisting of young and less expensive employees, is shrinking. In the fiscal year 2023–24, both TCS and Infosys saw the proportion of young employees in their total headcount fall to a five-year low and a decadal low, respectively.
The repeated delays in onboarding by Infosys have caused significant distress to thousands of recruits who had placed their trust in the company. As NITES calls for government intervention and fair treatment for the affected employees, the broader IT industry faces challenges in maintaining a balanced workforce amidst reduced hiring activities.
