Cognizant, a prominent U.S.-based IT firm, has revealed plans for its India-based employees to return to the office at least three days a week, marking another significant step in the transition away from remote work prompted by the pandemic.
According to a memo obtained by Reuters, Cognizant’s CEO Ravi Kumar S outlined the expectation for all India associates to be present in the office for an average of three days per week, emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration for activities such as collaborative projects, training, and team building. However, the memo did not specify when this policy would take effect.
With a substantial portion of its workforce — approximately 254,000 out of 347,700 employees — based in India, Cognizant’s decision reflects a broader trend among Indian IT firms. Competitors such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, and Wipro have already mandated a return to office, with TCS even implementing a five-days-a-week schedule.
To facilitate this transition, Cognizant plans to launch a new hybrid-work scheduling app tailored for its India operations. This tool aims to assist managers in coordinating schedules and reserving office space for their teams, streamlining the process of hybrid work arrangements.
A spokesperson for Cognizant expressed confidence in the hybrid model, stating that it believes this approach will define the future of work. The company also reiterated its commitment to expanding into Tier-2 cities across India, where many of its associates reside.
Industry analysts have welcomed Cognizant’s move, anticipating positive impacts on operational margins in the coming quarters. Gaurav Vasu, founder of research firm UnearthInsight, noted that such initiatives by IT firms tend to enhance productivity and utilization levels, suggesting potential long-term benefits from this shift in working arrangements.
