In a significant move to reinforce in-office presence, Indian IT behemoth Wipro has revised its hybrid work policy, introducing stricter checks for its vast workforce. The updated framework, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, now requires employees to spend a minimum of six hours in the office on mandated days, adding a new layer of compliance to the existing three-day-a-week office attendance rule.
Details of Wipro's Updated Hybrid Work Policy
The Bengaluru-headquartered company, which employs approximately 234,000 people, communicated these changes through an internal email. While the requirement to work from the office for three days weekly remains, the new stipulation mandates a minimum six-hour stay, tracked through entry and exit punches. This duration is specifically for physical office presence and is separate from the total daily working hours, which continue to be 9.5 hours. Employees are expected to complete the remaining hours from home on the same day.
The policy carries clear consequences for non-compliance. Associates who fail to meet the weekly three-day office requirement will have their leaves deducted. Furthermore, if an employee is present for fewer than six hours on a mandated office day, it will result in a half-day leave deduction. The company has also reduced the number of temporary remote working days allowed in a calendar year from 15 to 12. These days are intended for personal health needs, illness, or caregiving responsibilities.
Industry-Wide Shift: Why IT Giants Are Calling Employees Back
Wipro's policy revision is not an isolated event but part of a broader trend within the $283 billion Indian information technology industry. As the sector grapples with sluggish growth and the disruptive adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), companies are increasingly scaling back remote work options. Industry experts cite the need for faster project turnarounds and closer team collaboration as primary drivers.
"Earlier, applications used to be rolled out every two or three years. Now, the way software is designed and coded is different, with applications being rolled out in as little as eight weeks," explained Guruprasad Srinivasan, Executive Director at staffing firm Quess Corp. He emphasized that while routine tasks can be done independently, transformational work like product development requires physical proximity to improve speed and quality.
How Wipro's Policy Stacks Up Against Other IT Majors
The move towards stricter office norms is visible across the industry. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT services provider, implemented a five-day-a-week office policy last year. It links variable pay to attendance, with full payouts requiring over 85% attendance. Infosys, the second-largest firm, has also rolled out a return-to-office mandate, requiring certain employee bands to work from the office for at least 10 days per month.
In its internal communication, Wipro stated that hybrid work remains central to its future strategy but stressed adherence to the updated policy. "We trust all associates will follow the policy in both letter and spirit as it supports collaboration across teams while providing flexibility," the company's email noted, highlighting the delicate balance between operational efficiency and employee flexibility in the new era of IT work.
