Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT company, has implemented a new bench policy, which has left thousands of employees uncertain about their future. The policy, which came into effect on June 12, limits the maximum bench period to 35 days, after which employees risk career degrowth or termination. The bench period refers to the time an employee spends without being allocated to a project.
As the first 35-day cycle under the new policy ends, employees are taking to social media platforms to express their anxiety and concerns. Many are scrambling to find projects, while others are being forced into projects that don’t match their skill sets. Some employees are also facing rejection in client interviews, and others are unable to find projects in their home locations.
The employee welfare body, Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), has urged the Union labor minister to take action against TCS, calling the policy “inhumane” and “exploitative.” NITES alleges that TCS is coercing employees on the bench with threats of termination and denial of experience letters if they fail to meet unrealistic deployment timelines.
However, some employees are supporting the new policy, saying that it will help the company trim underperforming resources and encourage employees to take responsibility for their careers. TCS CEO K Krithivasan has justified the policy, saying that it’s a structured version of what’s long been in practice and aims to minimize bench time.
The IT industry is facing challenges due to macroeconomic uncertainty, and companies are looking to become more efficient. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is also expected to automate repetitive tasks, leading to a demand for advanced skill sets. Experts predict that IT companies will become stricter with their bench policies, and TCS’ decision could have a downstream impact on other industry peers.
The new policy is expected to encourage employees to reskill and stay relevant in high-demand areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and digital engineering. The company’s employee cost has reached an all-time high, and the policy is seen as a way to optimize resources and improve margins. However, the impact of the policy on employees remains a concern, and it will be important to monitor the situation to ensure that employees are treated fairly and with dignity.