Global IT company Cognizant recently faced criticism on social media over low salaries for freshers. It began with the company announcing a salary offer of Rs 2.52 lakh per year for freshers, leaving social media furious with several users terming the package ‘unlivable’. In response, Surya Gummadi, the executive vice president (EVP) of Cognizant Americas, stepped in to address the issue. He explained that the figure that is circulating online was for non-engineering, undergraduate candidates and that fresh engineering graduates receive a salary between Rs 4-12 lakh annually. He also highlighted that Cognizant is among the few IT firms in India to provide salary increments and bonuses this year.
As per reports, Surya Gummadi stated, “Our recent job posting for talent from non-engineering backgrounds, with a 3-year undergraduate degree has been grossly misrepresented. This job posting, with compensation of Rs 2.52 lakhs annually, was only for candidates with a 3-year undergraduate degree and not for engineering graduates. Our annual compensation for fresh engineering graduates ranges from Rs 4 lakhs to Rs 12 lakhs annually, depending on the category of hiring, skill set, and advanced industry accredited certifications.”
Surya Gummadi highlighted that their remuneration is highly competitive with IT services peers. Moreover, the company has a strong training program, which helps new employees develop their skills and succeed in their roles. He mentioned that Cognizant has been training new graduates from various fields, including engineering, science, arts, and commerce.
“When we hire for entry-level roles, they invest approximately Rs 2 to 3 lakhs per associate in the initial years to train, mentor, and upskill in advanced technologies. “Hundreds of our associates, who joined us with a 3-year undergraduate degree, today hold key positions from manager to assistant vice president across the company,” Surya Gummadi stated.
Cognizant also faced criticism for handing out annual salary hikes of as low as 1 per cent. Surya Gummadi stated that what is being quoted is the lower band of the 1-5 per cent annual increments that the firm has dished out based on individual performance. He shared that Cognizant is among the few IT firms in India that has provided pay raises and bonuses this year. He pointed out that this is the fourth one for many employees in the last three years. He also mentioned that these raises are just one part of the overall benefits package provided to staff.
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