Infosys, 70-hour weeks and frozen salaries

#Infosys has been in the spotlight for controversial reasons — from NRN's 70-hour workweek suggestion to stagnant salaries and the firing of freshers for failing internal assessments. While some issues are external, others could have been handled better with empathy and foresight, especially for a global brand with immense goodwill.

What could have been done better in the current situation, especially knowing for most of them this is their first job?
- Proactive Communication:
The repercussions of failing internal assessments should have been made clear upfront, including the possibility of immediate termination. Transparency helps employees mentally prepare for worst-case scenarios.
- Empathy in Handling Terminations:
Reports of employees being asked to vacate the Mysore campus immediately are disheartening. The Infosys Mysore campus is on the outskirts, far from the city. Imagine 400-500 people under immense emotional stress simultaneously scrambling for taxis and autos!

A more humane approach could have involved, providing time for employees to absorb the news or at least arranging transportation to the city would have helped the young professionals!

To the Employees Impacted:
This is not the end of the road. In a career spanning 30+ years, early setbacks are just learning milestones. What matters is how you bounce back, learn, and seize the next opportunity.

Let me share two inspiring stories:
- During my time at Infosys in the US, I attended a customer conference where the CEO candidly shared his story. Infosys had rejected him during an interview, but that rejection became his turning point. Today, he runs a successful company, and Infosys provides services to him!
- I recently met a friend who ran a startup in a tier-2 city. He hired people from non-tech backgrounds, including those with decade-long breaks in their careers. His company was recently acquired by an MNC, and all employees were absorbed with great hikes!

A fall doesn't define you. Think positive, learn from the experience, enhance your skills, and step back into the game with renewed confidence.

Have you ever faced an unexpected career setback? How did you navigate through it?