TCS bans 6, probes 3 employees in job scam: Chairman

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced that six employees have been banned from the company due to their involvement in accepting favors from certain staffing firms during the appointment of contractual workers. Speaking at the TCS Annual General Meeting (AGM), Chandrasekaran revealed that the company is also investigating the role of three additional employees. The bans were imposed after TCS received whistleblower complaints in late February and March, prompting an internal investigation into the allegations of misconduct.

Although Chandrasekaran did not provide specific details about the favors received by the banned employees, he acknowledged that their behavior showed a bias toward certain firms. He emphasized that TCS would thoroughly examine its Business Associate (BA) supplier management process, identify weaknesses, and implement stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Earlier reports had exposed a bribery scheme within the company, revealing that senior executives had been accepting bribes from staffing firms in exchange for job placements. The fraudulent activity had been ongoing for several years until a whistleblower alerted TCS's CEO and COO about the involvement of the global head of RMG, ES Chakravarthy, in accepting bribes.

In response, TCS formed a three-member committee, led by Chief Information Security Officer Ajit Menon, to investigate the allegations. Following the probe, TCS took action by placing its head of recruitment on leave and terminating the employment of four officials from the Resource Management Group (RMG). Chakravarthy was barred from entering the office, and another RMG official named Arun GK was also dismissed. To fill the leadership vacuum, TCS appointed Sivakumar Viswanathan, a seasoned professional with nearly 30 years of experience, as the new head of the RMG.

The company remains committed to upholding ethical practices and maintaining transparency in its operations. The actions taken against the individuals involved in the misconduct demonstrate TCS's dedication to addressing the issue and reinforcing its commitment to maintaining a strong corporate culture.