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In a strategic push to improve gender diversity across its tech workforce, Infosys has rolled out a new referral program offering employees up to Rs 50,000 for successful recommendations of female candidates. The initiative, announced via internal email this week, is part of the company’s broader commitment to building a more inclusive and balanced workplace—especially in roles traditionally dominated by men.
The program comes at a time when India’s IT sector is grappling with gender gaps in mid-to-senior level positions, despite steady improvements in entry-level hiring. Infosys, one of the country’s largest IT services firms, is now putting tangible incentives behind its diversity goals.
Referral Program Details
Infosys employees received an email outlining the new referral scheme, which is open across multiple roles and experience levels. The company is specifically targeting women candidates for lateral hiring, with the aim of strengthening representation in engineering, cloud, data, and leadership tracks.
Key highlights from the program:
- Referral rewards range from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 depending on the role and level
- The program is valid for a limited period, encouraging swift participation
- Employees can refer candidates via the internal portal, with tracking and updates provided
- Successful referrals must result in a confirmed hire for the reward to be processed
The initiative is designed not only to attract qualified women professionals but also to engage current employees in the company’s diversity mission.
Why It Matters
Despite progress in gender parity at entry levels, the tech industry continues to see a drop-off in female representation as roles become more senior or specialized. Infosys’ move addresses this gap by incentivizing peer-driven hiring, which often leads to better cultural fit and retention.
Underlying challenges Infosys aims to tackle:
- Low female representation in mid-level engineering and leadership roles
- Limited visibility of women in emerging tech domains like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud architecture
- Attrition due to lack of mentorship, flexibility, and inclusive growth pathways
By offering financial rewards, Infosys hopes to tap into its existing talent pool to source candidates who may otherwise be overlooked or hesitant to apply.
Broader Diversity Strategy
Infosys has been steadily expanding its diversity and inclusion efforts over the past few years. From leadership development programs for women to flexible work policies and unconscious bias training, the company is working to create a more equitable environment.
Recent initiatives include:
- Women in Tech leadership accelerator launched in 2024
- Return-to-work programs for women on career breaks
- Dedicated mentorship circles and networking forums
- Gender-neutral parental leave and hybrid work options
The referral program complements these efforts by adding a grassroots hiring mechanism that leverages employee networks.
Industry Context
Infosys’ move mirrors a growing trend among Indian IT firms to address gender imbalance through targeted hiring campaigns. Companies like Wipro, TCS, and Accenture have also launched similar referral drives or diversity-linked incentives in recent quarters.
Sector-wide observations:
- NASSCOM reports that women make up 36 percent of India’s tech workforce, but only 13 percent of leadership roles
- Referral programs have shown higher conversion rates and longer retention for diversity hires
- The push for gender diversity is increasingly tied to ESG metrics and investor expectations
Final Thought
Infosys’ Rs 50,000 referral reward is more than a hiring tactic—it’s a signal that diversity is no longer a soft goal but a strategic imperative. By empowering employees to be part of the solution, the company is not just filling roles—it’s reshaping the culture of Indian tech, one referral at a time.
Sources: Moneycontrol, Business Today, Times of India, Economic Times
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