IT major Tata Consultancy Services has instituted work-from-office adherence as a prerequisite for promotions under its 2024 appraisal cycle, as per media reports. Vertical heads purportedly intimated teams that assessment grades determining elevation eligibility hinges on physical attendance track records conforming to company policies.
The stern stance ties into TCS’ unyielding stance around returning to campuses as the norm despite industry peers softening earlier stances. Critics argue social aspects behind campus camaraderie arguments ignore modern workforce sentiments preferring location flexibility.
Core Values Justification Debated
During October 2023’s earnings call, TCS had underlined compulsory attendance as key for imbibing firm values and work ethos for new hires denied home-based onboarding. But employee groups counter cultural integration itself has irrevocably changed post-pandemic.
They allege using career growth barriers to coerce on-site presence reflects dated mindsets unable to evolve with the times towards results-oriented operating models. Some also flagged potential discrimination against specially-abled employees.
Other IT Majors Also Pushing RTO
Nonetheless, other IT leaders like Wipro, Infosys and HCL have also been pushing return-to-office although without explicitly linking factors like promotions or increments. They underline on-site coordination remains better for complex projects though resistance exists despite hybrid arrangements allowing occasional remote work.
