Infosys Caps WFH Days as India IT Tightens Office Attendance
India’s largest IT services firms are quietly but firmly resetting expectations around work from home.
After years of flexibility driven by the pandemic and remote delivery models, the pendulum is moving back toward office presence.
The latest signal comes from Infosys, which has capped work from home exemptions at five days per quarter, aligning itself with similar moves by TCS and Wipro.
What Infosys Changed in Its WFH Policy
Infosys has revised its internal work from home policy by limiting additional remote days to five per quarter.
Employees seeking extra flexibility must now obtain prior approval and are expected to work from the office at least ten days each month.
Exceptions are limited to documented medical conditions, making flexibility a controlled exception rather than a default option.
Why This Shift Is Happening Now
The Indian IT sector is navigating slower global demand, tighter project timelines, and increased client scrutiny.
In this environment, companies are prioritizing predictability, collaboration, and tighter operational control.
Leaders increasingly believe these outcomes are easier to enforce with physical office presence.
Following TCS and Wipro
Infosys is not acting in isolation.
Both Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro have already tightened their own hybrid work norms over the past year.
The convergence suggests an industry level consensus rather than a one off policy experiment.
How Office Attendance Affects Delivery Models
Large IT projects depend on coordination across teams, time zones, and client expectations.
Managers argue that office attendance improves onboarding speed, reduces miscommunication, and enables faster escalation handling.
These factors matter more when margins are under pressure.
Employee Tradeoffs and Concerns
For employees, reduced flexibility increases commute time, living costs near tech hubs, and work life strain.
Younger professionals who joined during the remote first era face a cultural adjustment.
The shift may also influence attrition patterns, especially for in demand niche skill sets.
Why Companies Are Willing to Risk Attrition
Hiring has slowed across the sector, reducing immediate talent replacement pressure.
Companies are betting that job security and brand stability will outweigh flexibility concerns.
In a softer job market, leverage shifts back to employers.
Is Hybrid Work Actually Ending
This is not a full return to five day office weeks.
Hybrid models still exist, but with clearer boundaries and enforcement.
The difference is that flexibility is now structured, measured, and monitored.
Long Term Implications for India’s IT Workforce
Over time, office centric policies may reshape hiring geography and employee expectations.
Tier two city hiring may slow if physical presence becomes non negotiable.
At the same time, companies may invest more heavily in campus infrastructure and on site collaboration tools.
What This Signals for the Future of Work
The post pandemic experimentation phase is ending.
India’s IT sector is entering a phase of operational discipline and cost control.
Work from home is no longer a cultural promise, but a managed privilege.
Conclusion
Infosys capping WFH exemptions marks a broader reset across Indian IT.
As TCS, Wipro, and Infosys align on attendance norms, the industry is sending a clear message.
The future of work will be hybrid, but firmly anchored to the office.
