Infosys fined Rs 2 crore in France over work-hour records

Infosys has reportedly been fined €175,000 (around Rs 2 crore) by France's labour authority over shortcomings in its employee working-time recording system, according to a regulatory filing made by the IT major with the BSE and NSE.

The company reportedly disclosed that the penalty was imposed by the DRIEETS Île-de-France, the French labour authority, after it found that Infosys' system for recording employee working hours did not fully comply with local labour regulations.

Infosys informs stock exchanges

In its exchange filing, Infosys said the regulator's concerns were related to the reliability, auditability and monitoring capabilities of its time-recording system for certain categories of employees. The company, however, clarified that the fine would have no material impact on its financial position, business operations or project deliveries.

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Infosys also explained the delay in informing stock exchanges, saying additional time was required to internally verify the notice and determine the appropriate course of action before making the disclosure.

Strict French labour laws

French labour laws require employers to maintain accurate, reliable and auditable records of employees' working hours. The regulations are designed to ensure compliance with the country's statutory 35-hour workweek, overtime provisions and mandatory rest periods.

While the filing outlines the nature of the compliance gaps, it does not specify which categories of employees were affected or whether the company has been directed to make specific changes to its time-tracking system.

Attendance norms

The development comes at a time when Infosys has been tightening its workplace attendance norms, particularly in India. After implementing a stricter return-to-office policy in 2026, the company has gradually expanded its in-office attendance requirements to more senior employees.

Initially, employees at Job Level (JL) 7 and above were required to work from the office at least four days a week. In March, the policy was reportedly extended to employees in the JL6A band across certain business units.

According to The Economic Times, which reported that it accessed an internal email, employees were reminded that "JL6+ have to be in office four days a week," with the company noting that some staff had failed to meet the minimum requirement of 10 office days per month.

Also read: Why Infosys asked employees to track power consumption at home while working

Despite the stricter attendance norms, Infosys has continued to describe its workplace model as hybrid, saying the policy is intended to promote collaboration, innovation and effective project execution.

‘72-hour workweek’

The latest development also comes against the backdrop of the broader debate over work culture triggered by Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy. In recent years, Murthy has repeatedly advocated longer working hours, first urging India's youth to work 70 hours a week and later suggesting a 72-hour workweek, citing China's "996" work culture as an example. He has argued that sustained hard work is essential for improving the country's productivity and economic growth.

However, the French regulator's action is unrelated to the number of hours employees work. Instead, it focuses on whether Infosys' systems accurately record, monitor and maintain auditable records of working time in accordance with French labour laws.

Despite the regulatory action, investor sentiment remained positive. Infosys shares closed at Rs 1,078.30 on the NSE on Monday (July 27), up 3.75 per cent or Rs 39 from the previous close, in line with a broader rally in IT stocks.