Resignations Spike at TCS as Women Employees Reject End of Remote Work

Pune, 13th June 2023: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), one of India’s largest IT firms, is facing an unexpected challenge as it discontinues remote work options, three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this new policy has not been well-received by female employees, resulting in a recent surge of resignations.

TCS has been known for providing numerous employment opportunities for women, prioritizing gender diversity in its workforce. The company acknowledges that its decision to end work-from-home (WFH) arrangements has played a significant role in the increased resignations among female employees.

Milind Lakkad, TCS’s head of human resources, stated that the cessation of remote work has been the primary factor behind the resignations of female employees, although there may be other contributing factors as well. Lakkad emphasized that these resignations were not driven by discrimination, as historically, female employees at TCS have had lower resignation rates compared to their male counterparts. However, the current trend has seen the resignation rate among women surpass that of men.

TCS currently employs over 600,000 people, with women accounting for 35% of the workforce. In the fiscal year 2023, the company managed to retain 38.1% of its female employees. Furthermore, women hold a significant number of top positions within the company. It is worth noting that TCS experienced a workforce attrition rate of over 20% in the previous fiscal year.

Amidst the challenges faced by every employee in an increasingly uncertain global economic climate, the concept of remote work has gained widespread acceptance not only in India but also worldwide. Studies conducted in the United States reveal that 25% of workers have made the decision never to return to the office.

The changing landscape of work preferences and expectations highlights the need for organizations to adapt and create a flexible work environment that meets the diverse needs of their employees. TCS, like many other companies, now faces the task of reevaluating its policies and finding a balance between the benefits of in-person collaboration and the advantages of remote work to attract and retain talent in an evolving work culture.