India Tech Firms' Search for 'Lost Sheep'
India’s technology companies are looking at innovative ways to unearth and maintain a steady supply of workers as they strive to meet soaring demand for outsourcing services triggered by the recent rebound in global technology spending.
With staff attrition inching higher toward pre-recession levels, Indian outsourcers are now searching for talent in the lost sheep lot. Infosys Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services, the country’s two big outsourcers, are welcoming back performers who’ve left their companies in search of greener pastures.
Infosys, the country’s second largest software exporter by sales, has opened a “green channel” initiative, whereby employees who have left the organization can join again with minimum processing time. The policy currently only applies to positions in India.
The new initiative follows a less successful human resources program called Infosys Role and Career Enhancement, or iRACE, which created tougher performance benchmarks and less-frequent promotions, resulting in several experienced staff exiting the firm. Infosys management maintains the “green channel” program will help it leverage employees’ learnings from other experiences.
