An American Complains about Discrimination and Harrasment at Infosys

Bangalore: Jack B Palmer a software project manager at Infosys has been facing harassment and discrimination from his superiors and co-workers ever since he complained about visa fraud at the company. He first expressed his suspicion about some managers involved in visa fraud through internal channels at Infosys, around 17 months ago.

Palmer accused that Infosys’s brought Indian employees to U.S on B-1 visas which are short term and less costly, instead of H-1B visas.

Palmer had to face serious problems at his workplace following the complaint; he was not given any work assignments, was denied bonuses and moreover was subjected to death threats as well.

"They did the worst thing they could do to someone who is used to working 80 hours a week," Palmer said. "They sit me at home and cut me off from everything. My life is floating in Infosys purgatory." He filed a lawsuit last year asking federal prosecutors to open a criminal investigation.

Federal officials said that they are looking into the various irregularities in the hiring practices of Infosys and are also investigating whether the company employed people from India for jobs in U.S. which is not permitted under their temporary visas, B-1.

“Any allegation or assertion that there is or was a corporate policy of evading the law in conjunction with the B-1 visa programme is simply not accurate,” said Ted Bockius, an Infosys spokesman. He also said that Infosys is discussing the matter at present with the federal authorities.

Palmer is all set to sue the company, but till now he hasn’t quit his job, as he fears he won’t get another one!