TCS Ends WFH Policy, Asks Employees to Return Office From October 1

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), one of India's top IT companies, is making a big change to its work policy. Starting from October 1, TCS employees will no longer have the option to work from home (WFH). The company has asked all employees to return to the office for five days a week. This decision was communicated to employees through an internal email sent in September 2023.

While the current directive still allows for a three-day-a-week schedule, managers from different departments are encouraging employees to come to the office every working day. TCS will also provide flexibility and hybrid policies, considering exceptional circumstances.

In the past, TCS had asked employees to return to the office at least three days a week. In September 2022, the company sent an internal email stating that each employee would have a roster after discussions with their team leaders or managers. Adhering to this roster was mandatory.

During the financial year 2023, TCS's head of human resources, Milind Lakkad, mentioned in the annual report that attrition among women had increased. Lakkad speculated that working from home during the pandemic may have disrupted the domestic arrangements for some women, making it difficult for them to return to the office even after things went back to normal.

TCS also highlighted the importance of collaboration and team building, especially for new employees hired after March 2020. These employees haven't had as many opportunities for physical interactions with senior colleagues and leaders, which impacts their engagement and integration into the company culture. Consequently, TCS gradually started bringing employees back to the office to address these challenges.

So, from October 1, TCS employees will be saying goodbye to WFH and hello to full-time office work. This new policy has sparked diverse opinions among people. On one side, there are those who believe that the corporate world has been embracing the hybrid work culture, and TCS's decision to revert to traditional office work is seen as a step backward. 

However, some companies support TCS's decision, highlighting the benefits of working from the office, such as team building, increased productivity, and mentorship opportunities for junior employees to develop stronger connections with their seniors.

Ultimately, the decision whether to support a hybrid work culture or endorse TCS's new policy depends on individual preferences and the specific needs and dynamics of each organization. Some may find the flexibility of remote work more beneficial, while others prioritize the advantages of in-person collaboration.