Economic Slowdown Spill over

Appears quite unfortunate that renowned companies like Infosys resorting to vocabulary tricks to overcome the effects of unpredictable economic slowdown. Despite this I really do not think that the cancellation of offers or 'intent of offer' would actually going to effect their competitive advantage, though it would certainly impact their 'Best employer image' adversely

The attempt at discouraging new recruits from joining is aimed at retaining the existing talent that they already have. With the Economy Slowing down and profit lines declining the available resources would have to be employed gainfully in the existing people rather than creating new avenues for expenditure which cannot be gainfully employed on any projects as these 'Projects' are simply not there.

On the second point as to whether the letter was an offer or an intent of offer one would actually have to look at the contents of the letter to form a legal interpretation but prima facie it seems that it was an intent of offer, which usually is the normal practice. Once the candidate signs on it and submits it, the company will issue an Appointment letter which becomes an acceptance of the offer given by the candidate.

As a placement coordinator at IIT I would have asked companies to issue Appointment letters rather than offer letters to the candidates who accept their offers. This would help in demonstrating the seriousness of the companies recruitment requirements

Two of my friends have faced a similar scenario and both had to resort to looking for new jobs to overcome the same