Cognizant eyes phased return to office in a “measured way”, based on business criticality

Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune offices may reopen for staff handling confidential contracts

Cognizant is bringing its employees in Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune back to offices in a phased manner. The IT services company told its employees that it will open offices in a “measured way” and bring back to work those who are handling confidential contracts that require office infrastructure.

“We will open our offices in accordance with directives from local authorities and will continue to closely monitor the situation. Only skeleton staff will work from offices, as required. All other employees continue to work from home,” said a Cognizant spokesperson in response to ET’s queries.

In a note sent to employees in Chennai, the company said: “As we take our next steps in transitioning back to the office, based on business criticality, offices in Chennai have been identified to reopen in the coming weeks.”

The company said only those who are delivering services “that cannot be delivered remotely because of high dependence on office infrastructure and networks, or those who have client, information security and confidentiality considerations,” will be invited to return to the office.

ET has seen a copy of the note. Bengaluru-based peer Wipro has restarted work from office in a phased manner, and currently about 10% of employees are working on its campuses.

Cross-town rival Infosys had resumed operations with 15% of its employees returning to offices in a phased manner at the end of May. Tata Consultancy Services management said it would bring back 5% of its employees to work in the ongoing second quarter.

Currently a little more than 1% of its employees are working from office.