Wipro Tightens Hybrid Work Rules, Sets Minimum Office Hours

Wipro has revised its hybrid work framework in India, introducing stricter attendance requirements for employees. Under the updated policy, staff are now required to spend a minimum of six hours in the office on at least three days each week, marking a shift from the earlier flexible-hour approach.

While the three-day office attendance rule has existed for some time, the new requirement specifies that the six hours must be completed between official “in” and “out” punches. The policy came into effect on January 1 and applies across Wipro’s India operations. The Bengaluru-based IT major employs around 234,000 people globally.

Employees who fail to meet the weekly office attendance or hourly requirement may see deductions from their leave balance, according to multiple employees cited by The Economic Times. Spending less than six hours in the office on a mandated day could result in a half-day leave deduction, while repeated shortfalls may lead to more days being adjusted from available leave.

Wipro has also curtailed its temporary remote work option. The allowance has been reduced to 12 days a year from the earlier 15 days. These days can be used for health-related needs, self-care, or caregiving responsibilities.

In an internal communication announcing the changes, Wipro reiterated that hybrid work remains central to its future workplace strategy. The company said the revised policy aims to balance flexibility with improved collaboration and urged employees to adhere to the guidelines “in both letter and spirit.”

The company clarified that the six-hour requirement refers only to time spent in the office. Total daily working hours remain unchanged at 9.5 hours, with employees expected to complete the remaining hours remotely on the same day.

Wipro did not respond to media queries on the matter at the time of reporting.

The move comes as India’s $283 billion IT services industry faces subdued growth, partly due to artificial intelligence reducing reliance on traditional manpower-heavy delivery models. Industry observers note that faster development cycles and compressed project timelines are prompting companies to push for greater in-person collaboration.

“Software releases that once took years are now being rolled out in weeks,” said Guruprasad Srinivasan, Executive Director at staffing firm Quess Corp. “That kind of speed demands close coordination, which is often more effective in a physical office environment.”

Other major IT firms have also tightened return-to-office norms. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has implemented a five-day work-from-office policy, linking variable pay to attendance levels, while Infosys mandates a minimum number of in-office days each month for junior and mid-level employees, backed by system-driven enforcement.

Together, these measures signal a broader industry shift towards stricter hybrid and in-office work models as tech companies adapt to changing business and delivery realities.

Source: Economic Times