Cognizant, the leading IT services company, has issued an ultimatum to its employees in India, warning them of potential termination if they fail to comply with the company’s return-to-office policy. According to a report by LiveMint, the company has sent out a letter to employees who have disregarded previous warnings regarding the return-to-office mandate.
Cognizant had earlier implemented a policy requiring employees to work from the office for three days per week, as reported by Reuters in February. The company stated that “failure to adhere to the directions will amount to serious misconduct as per company policies and accordingly appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated against you which may lead up to termination.”
This firm directive comes after several other major IT companies, such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Wipro, have also implemented return-to-office policies. TCS has reportedly enforced a five-days-a-week schedule as part of its return-to-office plan.
Cognizant has a substantial workforce in India, with approximately 254,000 employees based in the country, as per its annual report. The company’s decision to implement a return-to-office policy is in line with the trend seen in the IT industry as companies seek to resume pre-pandemic work arrangements.
Employees who have been reluctant to return to the office may face consequences under Cognizant’s new policy. The company has emphasized that compliance with the directive is mandatory, and failure to adhere could result in disciplinary action, including termination. This move by Cognizant highlights the importance companies place on in-office work as they navigate the post-pandemic landscape.
