In a significant move, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has made a clear connection between employee compensation, promotions, and their adherence to the return-to-office mandate implemented on October 1 last year. The company, which had initially made a 5-day work-from-office requirement for specific teams, is now taking a data-driven approach to assess employee performance in the office.
According to a report from Times of India, TCS has instructed team heads to assign grades based on an employee’s track record of working from the office. These grades will then determine increments and promotions. The move signifies a strategic shift in TCS’s approach to performance evaluation, moving beyond traditional metrics to include in-office presence as a crucial factor.
TCS has also extended this linkage to digital compensation for freshers who have completed designated courses, making them eligible for salaries beyond Rs 3 lakh. Compliance with the return-to-office mandate is now a prerequisite for receiving digital compensation.
The company had previously implemented a dress code for employees working from the office, aiming to facilitate a smoother transition back to a five-day in-office workweek. Additionally, in November of the preceding year, over 2,000 TCS employees received transfer notices, directing them to relocate within 15 days or face disciplinary action.
CEO K Krithivasan emphasized the importance of in-person work during the June quarter of 2023, stating that the return to the office fosters a positive work culture and mentorship opportunities. He highlighted the significance of in-person collaboration for both employee development and customer relationships.
As TCS takes a proactive stance on the return to the office, it raises questions about the evolving dynamics of remote work and its impact on employee performance evaluation and career progression.
