Over 600 lateral hires at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are facing indefinite delays in onboarding, despite having received formal offer letters.
These professionals—many with 2 to 18 years of experience—had resigned from their previous roles in anticipation of joining TCS between July and September 2025, only to be informed that their joining dates were postponed due to shifting business requirements.
The lack of clarity has left many in limbo, prompting some to revoke their resignations and plead with their former employers to take them back.
Others, whose companies do not permit resignation withdrawals, now find themselves unemployed and financially strained.
Personal and Financial Fallout
Affected candidates have shared their experiences anonymously, citing emotional distress and financial instability.
One techie, nearing the end of his notice period, managed to retain his job by speaking to his manager.
Another was not as fortunate—his company refused to reverse the resignation, leaving him without employment.
Many had rejected counteroffers, relocated, or made significant financial commitments based on TCS’s offer.
With no confirmed joining dates, candidates are now reaching out to their previous employers, hoping for reinstatement.
“I cannot afford to be without a job,” one candidate told the Times of India.
TCS Response: Commitment Without Timelines
TCS has maintained that it is committed to honoring all offers made to both freshers and experienced professionals.
In a statement, the company said, “Everyone who received an offer from TCS will be onboarded.
The joining dates are decided as per business demand and, in some cases, they do get adjusted to meet our business needs”.
However, candidates report that HR representatives are reaching out to gauge continued interest but are not providing firm dates.
Some have received pre-joining verification emails, while others have had their onboarding pushed to October 2025 without further updates.
Labour Ministry Steps In
The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), an organization advocating for IT employees, has written to the Union Labour Ministry, urging intervention.
In its letter, NITES highlighted the emotional and financial distress caused by the delays and requested:
- A time-bound commitment from TCS
- Financial compensation for the waiting period
- Access to mental health support
- Consideration of alternate roles within the company
The Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) held a meeting on August 1 to discuss the issue.
While TCS did not attend in person, it reiterated via email that onboarding was postponed, not cancelled.
Legal and Ethical Implications for TCS
Legal experts note that while the Labour Ministry can examine the issue, it lacks statutory authority to compel onboarding unless a clear legal violation is established.
Under Indian contract law, if the offer letter constitutes a binding agreement, unexplained delays may amount to a breach of contract.
For candidates classified as ‘workmen’ under the Industrial Disputes Act, such delays could be challenged as unfair labour practices.
A Call for Accountability
The situation has sparked broader conversations about corporate accountability, especially in sectors where offer letters are often treated as binding commitments.
For many lateral hires, the experience has been a cautionary tale about the risks of transitioning jobs without guaranteed onboarding.
As the tech industry grapples with fluctuating demand and project delays, professionals are calling for greater transparency and ethical hiring practices.
Whether TCS’s assurances will translate into timely action remains to be seen.
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