It is appraisal time in Cognizant usually during June of every year but this year the salary hikes and promotions have been delayed for three months. This is mainly because of the visa-limitations by the new government led by Donald Trump in US and ongoing anxiety in the IT industry as a result of this. Cognizant employees has been shocked by this development but the Chief People Officer of Cognizant, Jim Lennox, have sent an email to the employees stating that the modifications and promotions will be effective October 1, 2017, as per reports. The email clearly states that the employees up to the managerial level would receive a fractional increase in the basic pay like previous years and the senior managers and above level would get a ‘round sum’ amount. They will also get performance-linked bonuses. For employees up to the rank of vice president the new salaries would be effective from October 1, 2017, as per reports. Details on promotions for senior vice-president and higher will be announced separately. According to Jim Lennox the start of the year 2017 has been good and macro environment factors cannot be controlled but the executions against the macro shifts, driving value to clients and differentiating themselves in the marketplace can be controlled. Allegations are that some employees were asked to resign and this communications comes amidst these allegations. Rajeev Mehta, the CTS president had sent an email earlier informing that the company has not laid-off employees. Cognizant has also rolled out voluntary retirement scheme for D+ executive in an effort to help employees who are looking for making a change in their careers.
