Infosys Under Fire: Viral Post Exposes 'Toxic' Work Culture Amid Downsizing Debate
BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: Infosys, a name synonymous with India’s IT revolution, is now in the eye of a storm. A viral post by former employee Bhupendra Vishwakarma has sparked widespread debate about corporate ethics, employee exploitation, and systemic bias within one of India’s largest tech giants.
The revelations come at a time when Infosys founder Narayana Murthy is advocating for bureaucratic reform. This has raised questions about the state of governance within his own legacy.
The Allegations That Sparked Outrage
Former Infosys employee Bhupendra Vishwakarma made six damning allegations about the company’s work culture. His viral post has drawn both support and criticism online.
1. Unfair Workload Redistribution
Vishwakarma claimed that his team size reduced from 50 to 30 due to attrition. Instead of hiring replacements, management redistributed the workload. This led to remaining employees being overburdened. "We were treated like cogs in a machine, with no regard for the mental or physical toll," he wrote.
2. Stagnant Financial Growth
Despite being promoted, Vishwakarma alleged there was no monetary benefit. "For three years, I worked tirelessly, meeting expectations, yet there was no financial acknowledgment of my efforts," he said.
3. Regional Bias in Onsite Opportunities
He also accused Infosys of favoring employees from certain linguistic backgrounds for onsite roles. "Employees speaking Tamil, Telugu, or Malayalam were given opportunities, while Hindi-speaking employees like me were overlooked. This was regardless of our performance," he claimed.
4. Toxic Client Culture
Vishwakarma described a toxic work environment driven by unrealistic client demands. "We were expected to respond instantly, which led to constant escalations and stress. It felt like we were firefighting all the time," he explained.
5. Lack of Recognition
The former employee highlighted the absence of tangible rewards for hard work. "Despite consistent efforts and peer recognition, none of it translated into financial growth, promotions, or career advancements," he added.
6. Career Stagnation
Assigned to a non-profitable account, Vishwakarma felt his career was stagnant. "There were no opportunities for growth or development. Staying there felt like a dead end," he shared.
Corporate Silence Amid Employee Backlash
Despite the uproar, Infosys has remained silent on the issue. The company has not issued any formal statement addressing these allegations.
This silence has not gone unnoticed. Social media is abuzz with divided opinions. Many employees have echoed Vishwakarma’s concerns, while others argue that workload and stress are part of corporate life.
Narayana Murthy’s Controversial 90-Hour Workweek Remarks
The situation was further complicated by Narayana Murthy’s recent remarks endorsing a 90-hour workweek. He suggested this was necessary to boost India’s economic growth.
Critics have slammed his statement as tone-deaf, especially given the current allegations. Anand Mahindra’s counterpoint—"Quality of work is more important"—has added fuel to the fire.
Industry-Wide Implications
Vishwakarma’s revelations point to larger systemic issues in corporate India. Downsizing often leads to overburdening the remaining workforce. This creates stress and affects overall employee well-being.
"Employees are not just resources to be exploited; they are human beings with aspirations and limits," Vishwakarma wrote. His words resonate with many across industries.
A Call for Transparency and Reform
As Infosys navigates this PR crisis, introspection and reform are the need of the hour. Vishwakarma’s post is a stark reminder that a company’s success cannot come at the cost of its employees’ mental and physical well-being.
The question now is whether Infosys will address these concerns and take corrective action. For now, the silence from the company speaks volumes. Employees and industry watchers are left waiting for accountability.
