Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has rolled out a revised associate deployment policy, limiting the bench period to a maximum of 35 business days per year.
Effective June 12, 2025, the new policy mandates that employees must be deployed for at least 225 billed days annually.
The move aims to enhance workforce utilization, ensuring that associates contribute effectively to organizational goals.
The policy update, communicated by Chandrasekaran Ramkumar, Global Head of TCS’s Resource Management Group (RMG), underscores the importance of reducing idle time and aligning individual contributions with business objectives.
Employees who remain unallocated for extended periods may face impacts on compensation, career growth, international postings, and even continued employment.
Key Changes in the New Bench Policy
Under the revised framework, associates who are not assigned to projects must proactively engage with RMG to secure new opportunities.
While on the bench, employees are required to dedicate 4 to 6 hours daily to upskilling through platforms such as iEvolve, Fresco Play, VLS, and LinkedIn.
Additionally, they must complete mandatory training and utilize the company’s Gen AI interview coach to improve readiness.
To facilitate faster deployment, TCS has made physical office presence mandatory.
Work-from-home or flexible arrangements are discouraged, except under exceptional circumstances with prior RMG approval.
Impact on Employees
The new policy is expected to have significant implications for TCS employees.
Associates who fail to secure project allocations within the 35-day bench period may experience delays in career progression and reduced opportunities for overseas assignments.
The policy also discourages frequent short-term project allocations, warning that such patterns could lead to HR investigations and disciplinary action.
Additionally, employees must actively participate in skill development programs to remain competitive.
The emphasis on continuous learning aligns with TCS’s broader strategy of workforce optimization and digital transformation.
TCS Work-from-Office Policy and Exceptions
Earlier in January 2025, TCS revised its work-from-office (WFO) policy, introducing stricter norms for requesting exceptions.
Employees in India can now cite personal emergencies for a maximum of six WFO exceptions per quarter.
However, unused exception days cannot be carried forward to the next quarter.
To address logistical challenges, TCS has allowed employees to submit up to 30 exception days in a single request, offering greater flexibility in planning short-term remote work.
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