TCS Faces Flak Over Onboarding Delays for 600+ Lateral Hires; NITES Files Complaint with Labour Ministry

Pune, 22nd July 2025: The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has filed a formal complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, raising concerns over the indefinite delay in onboarding of more than 600 lateral hires by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

According to NITES, these affected individuals are experienced professionals from key IT hubs including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi. Most of them had resigned from their previous jobs after receiving confirmed offer letters and joining dates from TCS. Many had also relocated, committed financially, or declined other job offers in good faith, anticipating a smooth transition into one of India’s leading IT firms.

However, on their scheduled date of joining, the candidates were abruptly informed that their onboarding had been postponed indefinitely, with no official communication or revised timeline provided by the company. The prolonged uncertainty has left them jobless and financially strained.

“Several affected professionals are now struggling to meet their financial obligations, including EMIs, rent, and daily living expenses. The emotional toll is equally severe,” said Harpreet Singh Saluja, President of NITES.

In its representation to the Labour Ministry, NITES has demanded urgent intervention and put forward the following appeals:
A clear, time-bound commitment from TCS regarding the onboarding process.
Compensation for the period of delay.
Access to mental health support via TCS’s Employee Assistance Program.
Exploration of alternate roles within the company for the affected candidates.

Saluja criticized the company’s approach, calling it “unjust and unethical.” “Such corporate practices violate the principles of fair employment and leave workers vulnerable, despite no fault of their own. We are committed to ensuring that the voices of these professionals are heard and that corrective action is taken,” he added.

As of now, TCS has not issued a public statement regarding the complaint or the onboarding delays.