Cognizant allows work from home twice a week.

IT major Cognizant has asked its employees in India to work from home twice in a week, so that it can manage space within its office.
In an email to employees, the Teaneck, New Jersey based company, has given employees in corporate functions the flexibility to work from home for two days in a week. Fun Fact: the Teaneck has more than one third of its workforce in India.

"Those people in support functions or those who are not client-facing come within this category and that this will make space for business associates and employees with client-facing roles", a senior employee of Cognizant told ET.

However, according to an employee, the decision is still awaiting approval from the top management and this could be revoked in future. On the other hand the company told ET, "The option has been broadened for associates working in corporate functions at all locations. The programme is not mandatory and employees are free to elect themselves for the programme based on their personal and professional needs."
The company has also announced that it will reimburse a fixed amount of broadband expenses for the employees who opt for this. It has been confirmed by the employ that Rs 1,500 monthly internet allowance will be given to all employees who take the option.

"Most engineers in Cognizant work in shifts. Employees in support functions need not be in office to get work done. If these people stay at home, more coders can be accommodated. Almost 90% of a building in Chennai is occupied by corporate function employees and this move can make space for more core business roles," another employee in Chennai told ET.

The employees opting for this will be expected to apply for workstations on the Cognizant portal for the days they do come in to work. The employees will be provided a workstation in any of the offices within the city.

"This is good and bad. The bad side is, there is no dedicated tablework station for me anymore," one of the support engineers at Cognizant said to ET.