Infosys, the Indian IT giant, announced its fiscal Q3 earnings with an impressive profit of ₹6,806 crore, marking an 11.46% year-on-year growth. Despite this financial achievement, the company is facing growing criticism about its work culture and employee treatment. The controversy stems from concerns about stagnant salaries and allegations of a toxic work environment, issues that came under the spotlight after Infosys CEO Narayana Murthy’s 2023 comments urging youngsters to work 70-hour weeks. These remarks triggered widespread backlash, drawing attention to broader systemic issues within the organization.
Over recent months, accusations of underpayment and excessive workloads have surfaced, particularly from fresher-level employees who claimed their salaries have remained stagnant for over a decade. On social media, employees have raised concerns about financial stagnation, high-pressure environments, and a lack of work-life balance. A viral LinkedIn post by a former Infosys employee, Bhupendra Vishwakarma, highlighted these issues further, as he detailed his decision to quit without securing another job due to dissatisfaction with the company’s practices.
CEO Salil Parekh Addresses Allegations
During Infosys’ Q3 FY25 earnings call, CEO Salil Parekh responded to questions about these criticisms, particularly those raised by Vishwakarma’s viral LinkedIn post. A reporter from Moneycontrol directly asked Parekh about the allegations of a toxic work culture and the company’s lack of financial growth opportunities.
Parekh stated that Infosys maintains a strong commitment to fairness and inclusivity in its operations. “Within Infosys, we have a very clear approach to make sure that everyone is treated fairly. We have a well-defined process of looking at how the performance is driven,” he said. He emphasized the company’s commitment to equal opportunity and high standards, reinforcing that Infosys evaluates employee contributions fairly.
Fresh Hiring Goals On Track
In addition to addressing work culture concerns, Infosys announced its progress toward hiring targets for FY25. The company remains on track to onboard 15,000 freshers by the fiscal year-end. This move underscores Infosys’ focus on expanding its talent pool, even as it contends with internal dissatisfaction.
The disconnect between Infosys’ profitability and the growing discontent among employees continues to draw scrutiny, raising questions about whether the company’s internal culture aligns with its stated commitment to fairness and inclusivity. While the Infosys CEO’s assurances aim to rebuild trust, the coming months will reveal whether actions follow words in addressing employee grievances.
