TCS Discontinues Hybrid Work Policy, Mandates Office Return Starting October 1.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT company, has decided to discontinue its hybrid work policy and require employees to return to the office full-time starting October 1, 2023. The company conveyed this decision to its employees in a mid-September internal memo, emphasizing the need for increased collaboration and innovation as the primary reasons for this shift.
The news has sparked mixed reactions among TCS employees. Some view the change positively, believing it will enhance their productivity and strengthen their connections with colleagues. Conversely, others express concerns about the potential impact on their work-life balance and overall well-being.
One employee commented on X, “This is not going to retain talent. According to one report, 80% of people in the USA want to work from home, and this case would not be very different in India.” They argue that TCS may be missing the point of productivity, referencing Meta’s significant investments in digital connections.
Another employee expressed concerns about potential attrition: “Then TCS will see massive attrition in the coming months. Such decisions are being made to stabilize real estate market players as WFH has reduced demand for office space.”
However, there were also voices in favor of the decision: “That’s a good decision. Hybrid models are not working these days!” one user noted on X.
Another user highlighted the importance of office presence for organizational culture: “When employees, unfortunately, don’t understand the benefits of office presence, organizations have to intervene. Sitting at home working ruins careers and changes the basic cultural fabric of an organization.”
It’s essential to mention that TCS is not alone in this move. Several other prominent Indian IT firms, including Infosys and Wipro, have recently announced their transition back to a traditional five-day work week. This shift reflects a broader trend in the Indian IT industry, signaling a return to pre-pandemic working norms.