TCS Faces Female Exodus

_{Image Credit: Free Press Journal}

The global pandemic brought about a dramatic shift in daily life, with living spaces transforming into makeshift offices, classrooms, and entertainment venues during lengthy lockdown periods. While remote work and virtual meetings initially seemed like game-changers, providing work-life balance, employers, including Indian IT firms like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), are now witnessing a wave of female resignations due to the insistence on returning to the office.

Despite the resilience of Indian IT firms in resisting global layoffs, TCS has experienced a significant attrition rate, with 20% of its workforce leaving in FY23. Out of TCS’s six lakh employees, 35% are women, who constitute the majority of those choosing to part ways with the company since the return-to-office policy was implemented.

The requirement to resume working from the office has been a major factor driving women away from TCS. Many individuals prefer the flexibility and time saved by remote work, leading to mass resignations whenever firms mandate a return to the workplace.

During the pandemic, the participation of Indian women in the workforce increased by 132%, attributed to flexible work hours and the elimination of commuting. However, as circumstances revert to pre-pandemic norms, a significant number of women are opting to leave their jobs.

It is important to note that TCS has denied reports of warning employees against remote work. Nevertheless, the trend of female employees resigning due to the shift away from remote work highlights the complex challenges faced by companies in maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce during post-pandemic transitions.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Free Press Journal.