From TCS, Wipro To Infosys, Is WFH Over Now As Tech Firms Make Office Mandatory?

The work-from-home trend in India is not ending but evolving into a more flexible work arrangement known as hybrid work. However, with some latest developments across industries, WFH may see an end soon. Top IT sector companies including TCS, Infosys and Wipro are gradually calling back their employees to office.

When the Covid-hit world got a respite, companies implemented policies that support hybrid work, such as providing employees with the necessary equipment and training. Now, they are making it mandatory for employees to work from the office.

According to multiple reports, a growing number of employees prefer flexible work arrangements, citing improved work-life balance, increased productivity, and reduced commuting time as benefits.

While companies are discussing the hybrid model, there remains uncertainty about its continuity. The question arises: will all companies follow the example of TCS and other companies and enforce mandatory in-office work, marking the conclusion of the work-from-home era?

As per a report by The New Indian Express, following almost four years of remote work, the majority of Infosys employees will commence returning to the office on November 20, working in-office three times a week.

Reportedly, in October, another major IT firm, Tata Consultancy Services mandated that its employees work from the office for all five days of the week.

The company mandates that employees should be physically present at work to facilitate the integration of the new workforce with the company’s larger employee base.

Starting in May, Wipro has been promoting a flexible work arrangement, allowing its employees to choose any three days of the week to work from the office. Approximately 55% of its workforce currently opts to be in the office for three days each week, the report said.

“We have adopted a flexible approach in our policies, keeping the requirements of our clients and employees as our foremost priority. Collaboration and innovation through shared perspectives is the foundation of a high-performing culture,” NIE quoted Wipro as saying.

The return to the office is a trend that is being seen across the IT industry in India. Companies are increasingly recognising the benefits of having employees in the office, such as improved collaboration, innovation, and employee development. However, companies are also aware of the need for flexibility, and they are implementing hybrid work models that allow employees to work from home part of the time.

Moreover, even experts argue that the idea of 100% remote working is gradually diminishing, and the Indian workforce has adeptly adapted to a work model that involves spending most days in the office while utilising the option to work from home once or twice a week, depending on individual needs or team-assigned schedules.