TCS ending hybrid work, netizens worry about worsened traffic congestion

Reports indicate that Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) is set to discontinue its hybrid work policy. This decision has prompted concerns among netizens, who believe it may exacerbate traffic congestion and lead to significant attrition within the company.

According to reports, managers in various divisions of TCS have been urging employees to return to the office five days a week, a departure from the current hybrid work policy that requires employees to be in the office three times a week. However, it's worth noting that TCS plans to maintain some degree of flexibility and will consider exceptions as needed.

An internal email, as seen by CNBC-TV18, stated, "As communicated by CEO and chief human resources officer (CHRO) in various townhalls, it is mandatory for all associates to attend office on all the working days (5 days per week if there are no holidays) starting 1 October 2023."

TCS declined to comment, citing a silent period.

Rajesh Lakkad, a representative from TCS, mentioned that more than half of the company's staff had already been working in the office three days a week and that their "Return to Office" initiative was progressing.

This change in policy comes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which IT companies initially implemented work-from-home (WFH) policies to ensure business continuity. However, concerns about "moonlighting," where IT employees were found to be working for multiple companies simultaneously, led to a reevaluation of WFH policies. As COVID cases decreased, major IT companies introduced hybrid work policies, requiring employees to come to the office three days a week.

On social media, users expressed concerns that TCS's decision would result in more traffic congestion in major Indian cities. They argued that if their work primarily involves a laptop, there's no need to commute and sit in an office for eight hours.

Additionally, some users predicted that TCS might experience a significant attrition rate following the discontinuation of the WFH policy. They speculated that decisions like these were being made to stabilize the real estate market, as WFH had reduced the demand for office space.

Notably, TCS had previously reported higher attrition rates among its female employees compared to male employees, a trend that had raised concerns. It was suggested that the shift in domestic arrangements during the pandemic might have deterred some women from returning to the office even after normalcy had been restored.

In summary, TCS's decision to end its hybrid work policy has sparked discussions about traffic congestion, potential attrition, and the evolving dynamics of remote work in the IT industry.