‘Not Met Qualifying Criteria’! Infosys Layoffs Employees Again, Terminates Over 200 Trainees: Report

India's big IT giant, Infosys has reportedly once again handed out pink slips, terminating 240 trainees who failed internal assessments. This marks the second round of performance-related layoffs within two months, according to internal emails. In the first round, conducted in February, the company had already let go of 320 trainees for similar reasons.

The tech company in an email, "Further to assessment of the results of your final assessment attempt, please be informed that, you have not met the qualifying criteria in the 'Generic foundation training programme' despite the additional preparation time, doubt-clearing sessions, several mock assessments and three attempts."

However, Infosys has partnered with NIIT and UpGrad to offer company-sponsored generic training courses to the affected trainees. This includes those laid off in both the first and second rounds. Additionally, the company is providing one month's salary, accommodation, and travel allowance to help ease their transition.

"We also wish to offer you another career pathway, by taking an Infosys-sponsored external training to prepare for potential roles in the BPM industry. On successful completion of training, you may also apply to available opportunities in Infosys BPM Limited. However, if you wish to continue honing your IT skills, you also have an option to choose an Infosys sponsored external training programme on Information Technology fundamentals to further support your IT career journey," the email read.

The affected trainees were onboarded in October 2024 after getting hired in 2022. In FY25, Infosys employed 15,000 trainees in total.

NITES Calls Infosys Layoffs Unethical and Unlawful

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has received a second complaint from the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) over the unethical and unlawful layoffs of around 370 trainees by Infosys.

A statement released by NITES, "Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) strongly condemns the unlawful and unethical actions of Infosys Ltd., which has once again proceeded to terminate 370 apprentices enrolled under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) by coercing them into signing "mutual separation" agreements. These actions have been carried out without any legal justification, prior notice, or adherence to due process, and in complete defiance of the authority of the Government of India."

Hiring in Infosys

Despite laying off employees over the past two months due to performance-related assessments, Infosys announced on Thursday that

The company also confirmed it met its FY25 hiring target by recruiting between 15,000 and 20,000 fresh graduates. During its Q4 earnings announcement on April 17, Infosys stated that wage hikes are on track, with most increments rolled out in January and the rest effective from April 1.