Bengaluru / Global HQ – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has officially introduced a revised associate deployment policy that drastically limits the duration employees may remain on the bench and ends the option to work remotely while unassigned. Effective June 12, 2025, the policy mandates:
Maximum 35 business days per year on the bench (unassigned work period).
A minimum of 225 billed business days in any rolling 12-month period.
Key Policy Highlights
- Strict Bench Time Limit
Associates must secure project assignments within the 35‑day bench window. Exceeding this can trigger serious consequences including career stagnation, salary cuts, halted overseas deployment prospects, or even termination. - Office-Only Requirement on Bench
Remote work is no longer allowed for those without active assignments. Bench employees are now required to work from office. Remote flexibility is strictly limited to exceptional personal emergencies and requires prior approval. - Mandatory Upskilling During Bench Period
Those unassigned must dedicate 4–6 hours daily to structured upskilling via platforms like iEvolve, Fresco Play, VLS, LinkedIn Learning, and the internal Gen‑AI interview coach. Completion of all training modules is required. - Discouraging Short-Term Project Swaps
Frequent brief assignments will be flagged by HR. Associates seen hopping between short-term projects may undergo investigations and face disciplinary action
Why TCS Made the Shift
- Boosting workforce utilisation amid slower deal pipelines and cautious client spending.
- Avoiding large-scale layoffs by maximising internal project allocation of its ~600,000+ employee base.
- Fostering continuous skill development and stronger team collaboration through in-office culture — a trend echoed by global leaders like Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and TCS CEO K. Krithivasan.
Employee Implications
| Opportunity | Risk / Challenge |
|---|---|
| Clear performance benchmarks | Commuting expenses & reduced flexibility |
| Structured upskilling support | Increased stress; pressure to find projects quickly |
| Better morale for productive team members | Potential burnout; job insecurity for those on bench too long |
- Career Stability: Employees who stay proactive in securing assignments and training may benefit—while those who lag risk pay cuts or dismissal.
- Office Culture Return: With remote work ending for bench periods, TCS is reinforcing team cohesion and faster assignment turnaround.
Bottom Line
TCS’s policy marks a strategic pivot toward a performance-driven model, prioritizing billed days, in-person collaboration, and structured growth—while tightening post-COVID era flexibilities. It reflects the company’s larger goal: maintaining a lean, agile, and continuously engaged workforce without resorting to layoffs.
