Stuck in a toxic project at Infosys – need advice on moving to bench / switching project

Hey everyone,

I’m currently working at Infosys and recently got assigned to a project that has turned out to be extremely stressful.

The deadlines are unrealistically strict — I’m working around 14 hours a day, and even weekends (Saturday & Sunday) are not off. There’s basically zero work-life balance.

The biggest issue is the manager. He keeps setting completely unrealistic expectations. Tasks that realistically need 1–2 days are expected to be completed in just a few hours, and if you’re unable to meet that, he starts blaming or pressuring you unnecessarily. It feels like he has no proper understanding of effort estimation.

This situation is getting mentally exhausting, and I don’t think it’s sustainable.

I wanted to ask:

•	Is it possible to move to bench from a project like this?

•	What’s the best way to request a project release in Infosys?

•	Should I talk to HR, or is there some internal portal/process I should follow?

•	Any tips on how to switch to a better project quickly after coming to bench?

Would really appreciate advice from people who have been in a similar situation.

Thanks in advance 🙏