Bengaluru: Infosys has given 95% of variable pay to its employees in the December quarter – a rare gesture and the highest level of payout in the past nine quarters.

“This is unusual and unexpected, especially in a weak quarter. We didn’t get iPhones (under former CEO Sikka, the company gave 3,000 iPhones to top performers). But I think this is a great morale booster with a new CEO at the helm,” said one of employees on condition that he ramain anonymous.

The payout coincides with compensation increases to its middle and senior management in various geographies in the December quarter. Infosys had deferred hikes to senior management in the annual appraisal cycle. Last week, TCS announced a 100% payout to all its employees in India.