Author: Akshay Published Date: 23 July 2025
TCS Tightens the Screws: 35 Days on Bench or Face Consequences
India’s IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has sent shockwaves through its workforce with a controversial new policy: employees can now spend only 35 business days per year on the bench (unassigned to projects).
Effective since June 12, 2025, this rule means that if an employee exceeds the limit, they risk delayed promotions, withheld salary hikes, or even termination. With the first deadline hitting in mid-July, panic is spreading among TCS’s 600,000+ employees.
Why Is TCS Doing This?
Officially, the company claims the policy ensures:
✔ Higher workforce utilization (225+ billable days/year)
✔ Cost-cutting by reducing non-revenue-generating employees
✔ Encouraging self-driven career growth
But employees and unions suspect a silent layoff strategy—pushing workers to quit voluntarily rather than face punitive measures.
Employees Speak: “Forced Into Mismatched Projects”
Many TCS associates are sharing alarming experiences:
- Freshers trained in Java reassigned to unrelated support roles.
- Sudden relocation demands, disrupting personal lives.
- Pressure to accept any project, regardless of skillset.
One employee anonymously posted:
“They’re giving us two choices—take whatever project is thrown at you or leave.”
NITES Steps In – Calls Policy “Inhumane”
The Nascent IT Employees Senate (NITES) has written to the Union Labour Minister, alleging:
🔴 Mental harassment due to unrealistic deadlines
🔴 Coerced resignations without proper severance
🔴 Denial of experience certificates for those exiting
TCS denies these claims, stating that training and internal mobility options are available.
Is This Really About Layoffs?
Industry experts point to three key factors:
1️⃣ Declining TCS Profits – Salary costs now make up 60% of revenue.
2️⃣ AI Automation – Entry-level roles are shrinking due to AI tools.
3️⃣ Global IT Slowdown – Clients are cutting budgets, reducing project pipelines.
Economist Pareekh Jain warns:
“If TCS is doing this, other IT firms may follow.”
What Should TCS Employees Do Now?
If you’re on the bench:
✅ Upskill aggressively – Use TCS’s 4-6 hour/day learning mandate wisely.
✅ Network internally – Stay in touch with managers for project openings.
✅ Document everything – If pressured unfairly, keep records for legal protection.
✅ Explore alternatives – If mismatched projects arise, consider external opportunities.
The Bigger Picture: IT Job Security in 2025
This policy reflects a broader shift in the tech industry:
- Less job security for those who don’t adapt.
- Skills > Tenure – Promotions now depend on relevance, not just experience.
- AI replacing routine work – Employees must specialize or risk obsolescence.