Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), has come under scrutiny for its recent decision to lay off 12,000 employees and delay the onboarding of over 600 lateral hires.
The Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) convened a meeting on August 1, 2025, in response to a formal complaint filed by the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES).
However, TCS did not attend the meeting in person, opting instead to submit a written response via email.
The meeting was intended to address concerns over the layoffs and indefinite onboarding delays, which have affected experienced professionals across major cities including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi.
TCS Cites Market Conditions, Reaffirms Offer Commitments
In its written statement, TCS attributed the onboarding delays to “prevailing global market conditions”, stating that such deferments are common industry practice.
TCS informed the Labour Ministry of its commitment to honour all issued offer letters. It clarified that the onboarding delays are expected to be temporary.
However, the response did not include a clear timeline for onboarding, nor did it offer compensation or support mechanisms for affected candidates.
Many of these professionals had already made personal and financial arrangements in anticipation of joining the company.
NITES Demands Accountability and Support
Representatives from NITES attended the meeting and submitted detailed documentation outlining the impact of TCS’s actions.
The employee body has called for:
- A time-bound onboarding schedule
- Compensation for the deferment period
- Mental health and relocation support
- A platform for direct dialogue between TCS and affected individuals
NITES raised concerns about forced resignations and revoked job offers, citing widespread impact on employees.
The organization also flagged potential breaches of labour laws and called on the Labour Ministry to initiate a formal investigation.
Government Response and Next Steps
Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner Tej Bahadur confirmed that TCS’s written response was taken on record.
He acknowledged NITES’ request for further dialogue and indicated that additional proceedings may be scheduled if necessary.
The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) has filed an industrial dispute against TCS, citing violations of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
The union also demands the initiation of criminal proceedings against the officials it holds responsible for the alleged breaches.
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