Bengaluru: IT giant Infosys has rolled out a fresh employee referral program with a special twist. The company is offering rewards of up to ₹50,000 to employees who successfully refer women candidates for open roles. The move is being seen as part of Infosys’ broader push to strengthen gender diversity in its workforce — a long-standing issue in India’s tech sector.
According to details shared through an internal email, employees can claim different reward slabs depending on the level of the candidate hired. Senior positions attract higher payouts, while junior and mid-level referrals come with smaller bonuses. The idea is simple: encourage employees to bring in more female talent, especially in roles where women remain underrepresented.
Gender diversity in spotlight
Infosys currently employs more than 3 lakh people worldwide, but like most tech companies, it has faced challenges in maintaining gender balance. Industry estimates suggest that while entry-level hiring often sees a healthy mix of male and female engineers, the ratio starts to dip at mid-management and senior levels.
A senior HR manager, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained: “Diversity has become a business necessity. Clients, especially in global markets, expect balanced teams. By incentivising referrals, Infosys hopes to tap into employee networks and reach candidates who might not apply through traditional channels.”
Why this matters now
The timing of this program is noteworthy. The Indian IT sector is facing an intense hiring slowdown after last year’s layoffs and cautious client spending. Yet, companies like Infosys are simultaneously under pressure to improve inclusivity. Gender diversity targets are often discussed during quarterly updates, and investors increasingly ask tough questions about representation.
Industry analysts believe referral bonuses are a smart way to bridge the gap. Unlike large-scale recruitment drives, referrals tend to bring in candidates who are pre-vetted by trusted employees. This improves both retention and cultural fit — two areas where IT firms have struggled in the post-pandemic era.
Employee reactions
The initiative has generated buzz within Infosys’ internal channels. Some employees are enthusiastic, seeing it as a win-win — colleagues get rewarded while the company improves its image.
“I’ve already reached out to two of my former batchmates from college,” said one Bengaluru-based software engineer. “It’s motivating to know that if they join, not only will they benefit, but I also stand to gain a decent bonus.”
Others, however, have raised concerns about whether such programs unintentionally create pressure on employees to prioritize gender over skill. “At the end of the day, we should hire the best talent, male or female,” noted another employee.
The bigger picture
Infosys is not the first company to experiment with such strategies. TCS, Wipro, and Accenture have also run targeted referral programs in recent years, often focusing on women returning to work after career breaks. Many of these campaigns highlight flexible work options, mentorship, and leadership training as additional perks.
Diversity in tech is not just a corporate slogan anymore. Research shows that teams with balanced representation perform better, innovate faster, and retain talent longer. For Infosys, which competes globally with tech giants like IBM and Accenture, improving its gender metrics could strengthen its brand and attract new clients who prioritize inclusive business partners.
What lies ahead
While the ₹50,000 bonus has certainly caught headlines, experts say success will depend on execution. Will these hires stay beyond the first year? Will women be given equal opportunities for leadership roles? Will policies around maternity, childcare, and flexible work evolve alongside hiring drives?
For now, Infosys has put its money where its mouth is. By directly involving employees in the mission to improve gender diversity, the company has sent a clear message — inclusion is not just an HR policy, but a collective responsibility.
As one HR consultant put it: “The referral bonus is the hook. What matters next is whether Infosys can create an environment where women don’t just join, but also thrive.”