Infosys, a prominent player in the technology sector, is encountering significant backlash following the termination of approximately 400 trainees at its Mysuru campus due to alleged failures in internal assessments.
The company has faced severe criticism for the manner in which these individuals were evicted, as they were compelled to leave the premises on the same day, with requests for an overnight stay being denied. A report outlined the distressing experiences of those dismissed on February 7, emphasizing the suddenness of their expulsion.
One affected trainee, a woman from Madhya Pradesh, expressed her desperation to the officials, stating, “Please let me stay the night. I will leave tomorrow. Where will I go right now?”
Unfortunately, her entreaty was ignored, as a colleague recounted the officials’ curt reply: “We don’t know. You are no longer part of the company. Vacate the premises by 6 pm.”
These terminations were part of a broader layoff affecting around 400 trainees who did not succeed in passing internal evaluations after three attempts. Many of these individuals, who had joined Infosys more than two years post-graduation, found themselves in a precarious situation, urgently seeking transportation home and fearing the conversation they would have to have with their families regarding their unexpected job loss.
As reported, the dismissals were conducted in a highly regimented manner, with groups of approximately 50 trainees being called in early on February 7. They were reportedly taken to a room under the watch of security personnel and bouncers, where they were instructed to maintain strict confidentiality about the proceedings.
The process, described by one of the dismissed trainees, involved the use of buses as shields to prevent attention from Finacle (Infosys’ digital banking platform) employees and several clients from the US who were present on campus.
The company’s official statement clarified that its rigorous hiring process includes three assessment attempts for trainees, and those who fail to meet the criteria are let go, in line with company policy. “This process has been in existence for over two decades and ensures a high quality of talent availability for our clients,” said one Infosys employee.
However, several former trainees have raised concerns over the stricter eligibility criteria introduced for the 2024 batch. Allegedly, changes to the evaluation system made assessments more challenging, with trainers warning that many trainees would struggle.
As of now, there are concerns that up to 4,500 trainees still in training may face a similar fate if they do not meet the new benchmarks.
The evaluation system itself has also undergone significant changes.
In the previous structure, trainees were required to clear two phases: generic and technology stream, with an overall passing rate of 50 percent. But, the current system imposes far stricter requirements, including a minimum of 65 percent in each area of evaluation.
Additionally, the syllabus has been greatly expanded, leaving trainees with insufficient time to complete the required coursework, especially given the extended hours of self-study required.
For instance, the programming fundamentals section now spans approximately 120 hours, while the total study time required for all subjects amounts to around 200 hours, though trainees are expected to study an additional eight hours daily outside of formal training hours.
The recent modifications have resulted in a significant rise in failure rates. Among the 930 trainees who commenced the program on October 7, 2024, only approximately 160 succeeded on their initial attempt, while over 630 did not pass by January 2025. The termination rate, which was previously under 10 percent, has escalated to between 30 and 40 percent.
Moreover, there are apprehensions regarding the unjust overlap in the curriculum, as trainees in support roles, such as system engineers, are now subjected to the same rigorous evaluations as specialist programmers, who command considerably higher salaries.
In the past, examinations were customized to align with specific job functions; however, currently, all trainees face identical assessments, resulting in grievances about the uneven level of difficulty, especially for those in lower-paying roles.
You may also like
More detailed news & other related topics
