The name ‘Restart with Infosys’ speaks for itself. However, the purpose it is solving is bigger than the imagination. In India, nearly 7 million women are looking to re-enter the workforce after a career break. Many of them stepped away from jobs for reasons such as parenting or caregiving. A LinkedIn Economic Graph analysis reveals that 43% more women than men mention a career break on their profiles, with full-time parenting being the most common reason. For men, parenting is only the seventh cited reason for career breaks.
These career breaks, however, come at a cost. Women who pause their careers face 49% fewer callbacks compared to other women with similar qualifications who stayed employed. Employers often view career gaps as a sign of a lack of commitment or outdated skills, which creates an additional hurdle for women eager to return to the workforce.
This is where Return-to-Work (RTW) programs, also known as returnship programs, make a positive difference. They provide experienced professionals, especially women, with the opportunity to restart their careers through training, upskilling, mentorship, and workplace support. Over the last few years, India has seen an increasing number of companies across various sectors invest in such initiatives.
At ChangeinContent, we bring these programs to the forefront, celebrate their impact, and ensure their awareness reaches those who can benefit most.
The ‘Restart with Infosys’ program: Upskill, reskill, and restart
Infosys has launched a women-focused hiring initiative called “Restart with Infosys“, aimed at encouraging women professionals who have taken a career break to rejoin the workforce. The program combines mentoring, skill development, and financial incentives to support women in re-entering the workforce after a career break.
Infosys actively encourages employee referrals for the program, offering rewards ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, depending on the seniority of the role filled. The IT services company is reportedly seeking to fill roles across multiple domains, including Java, .NET, SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, React, Python, Angular, and others, spanning developer, tech lead, and management positions.
The program offers structured mentorship and training to help participants upskill and reskill. In a recent internal communication, Infosys emphasised: “This program offers nurturing mentorship and valuable skill development to rebuild confidence and help participants achieve their career aspirations.”
By providing these resources, Infosys ensures that returning women professionals are equipped to take on meaningful roles in the company while bridging any skill gaps that may have arisen during their career break.
Empowering women to rejoin the tech workforce
Restart with Infosys is a launchpad for women professionals, designed to help them transition smoothly back into the workforce. The program offers an opportunity to acquire new skills and develop digital capabilities in the latest and emerging technologies. In FY24–25, the program successfully recruited approximately 900 women into mid-management roles.
Based on your expertise, interests, and skill set, Infosys may offer either full-time employment or fixed-term employment. Work-from-home options are also available.
Eligibility criteria
- The program is open to women professionals who have taken a career break of at least six months.
- Applicants must have more than two years of continuous work experience prior the taking a career break.
- The program applies to roles based in Infosys, India.
- All applications go through the selection process defined by the Infosys Talent Acquisition team.
- The company will evaluate candidates based on their experience, skills, and alignment with the program requirements.
Chief Human Resources Officer Shaji Mathew called the Restart with Infosys program “a significant step in fostering inclusion at scale.” He said the initiative was both a diversity measure and a means of supporting the broader industry in raising women’s participation in tech.
Initiatives supporting women’s return to work
Career breaks among working women occur across nearly all industries, but they are particularly pronounced in male-dominated sectors, such as IT, where women’s representation has historically been low. According to Skillsoft’s Women in Tech Report, women make up only about 25% of the global tech workforce. In India, women’s participation in IT services rose from 7.8% in 2020 to 21.2% in 2024, highlighting slow progress and the urgent need for initiatives that help women return to work.
That is why initiatives like Restart with Infosys are essential to help women overcome career gaps and regain their place in the workforce. Infosys is not alone in recognising the potential of women returning to work. Tata Technologies has recently launched its ‘Reignite 2025’ initiative to encourage women engineers to return to the workforce. HCLTech runs a ‘Returnship’ program, while Accenture India offers ‘Career Reboot’, and Wipro operates its ‘Begin Again’ inclusion initiative.
By actively supporting women in resuming their careers, these initiatives promote inclusion while also making the workforce more skilled and diverse.
Restart with Infosys: The closing thoughts
Career breaks should not define a woman’s professional life, yet many face challenges when returning, including fewer callbacks, questions about their commitment, and the need to update their skills. These barriers can make rejoining the workforce intimidating and discouraging at times.
Programs that provide mentorship, skill development, and opportunities to apply existing experience play a crucial role in helping women rebuild and restart their careers. When women return, they bring not only their expertise but also perspectives shaped by diverse life experiences, which add value to teams and projects. Initiatives that encourage women to rejoin the workforce also send a strong message about inclusion and the importance of recognising all forms of talent, creating a more balanced and diverse work environment.
Changeincontent perspective
Restart with Infosys is a statement, and not just a hiring program. It proves that returnship programs are not charity but smart talent strategies that unlock untapped potential. The question is not whether women deserve a second chance, but why organisations still hesitate to create pathways for their return. If Infosys can bring nearly 900 women back into the workforce in one year, what excuse do others have? True inclusion begins when career breaks are no longer treated as career endings.
Related Read: Women returning to work after a career break: A key to unlocking workplace diversity and growth.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content. We broadly define inclusivity as media, policies, law, and history. It encompasses all elements that influence the lives of women and marginalised individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
