TCS Ties Promotions to ‘Return to Office’ Mandate

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services company, has announced that it will link promotions, hikes, and variable payouts to complying with its recent return-to-office policy. This means that employees who work from the office regularly will have a better chance of getting higher grades, salaries, and bonuses than those who work from home.

Why TCS wants employees to return to office

TCS had implemented a work-from-home model for most of its employees since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. However, in January 2024, the company issued a mandate for all employees to return to office on all five days of the week, citing improved business conditions and vaccination coverage.

According to TCS, working from the office will help improve collaboration, innovation, and productivity among its workforce. The company also believes that it will enhance employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction. TCS has invested heavily in creating safe and secure work environments for its employees across its offices.

How TCS is linking promotions to return to office

TCS has communicated to its employees that assigning grades – which are a prerequisite for rolling out promotions – will depend on their track record of working from the office. The company has also made it clear that digital compensation – which is an additional salary offered to freshers who have cleared certain courses – will be approved only for return-to-office compliant cases.

TCS has also indicated that variable payouts – which are based on individual and team performance – will be influenced by the return-to-office mandate. Employees who work from the office consistently will be eligible for higher payouts than those who work from home occasionally or frequently.

TCS has been tracking the work from office attendance of its employees through emails and Teams messages. The company has also asked employees to come to the offices assigned to them and not opt for offices that are closer to their homes.

How employees are reacting to the return to office policy

The return-to-office policy has received mixed reactions from TCS employees. Some employees have welcomed the move, saying that it will help them reconnect with their colleagues, clients, and managers. They also feel that working from the office will improve their work-life balance, mental health, and career prospects.

However, some employees have expressed dissatisfaction with the policy, saying that it will affect their flexibility, convenience, and safety. They also feel that working from home has not hampered their productivity or performance, and that they should be evaluated based on their output and not their location.

Some employees have also raised concerns about the lack of clarity and consistency in the policy, as different teams and projects have different requirements and expectations. They have also questioned the rationale behind linking promotions and variable payouts to working from the office, saying that it is unfair and discriminatory.