Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has introduced a new policy that limits the amount of time employees can spend on the bench to just 35 business days each year. The change, which took effect on June 12, requires every associate to be assigned to a project for at least 225 billed working days annually. The aim is to improve employee productivity and better connect individual work with the company’s larger goals.
The updated rule was shared internally by Chandrasekaran Ramkumar, the global head of TCS’s Resource Management Group (RMG). According to the company, spending too much time unassigned may affect various aspects of an employee’s career. This includes lower chances of salary increases, slower career growth, fewer opportunities to work abroad, and in some cases, risk to continued employment.
Focus on Upskilling and Office Presence
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) expects employees without a project to take the lead in finding new assignments by working closely with the RMG team. While waiting for deployment, these employees must spend four to six hours each day learning new skills. They are required to complete training programs through platforms like iEvolve, Fresco Play, VLS, and LinkedIn. TCS also encourages them to use a company-provided Gen AI interview coach to prepare for upcoming project interviews.
To make this process faster, TCS now wants all employees to work from the office. Remote work or flexible arrangements are allowed only in special cases and require approval from the RMG. This shift follows a stricter office attendance policy introduced in January 2025. According to that policy, Indian employees may ask for only six work-from-office (WFO) exceptions per quarter, and unused exceptions cannot be carried over to the next quarter.
Short-Term Projects and Remote Requests Under Scrutiny
In addition to changes in bench policy, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has issued warnings about frequent short-term project placements. If a pattern of repeated short-term assignments is noticed, it may lead to an investigation by the HR team and possible disciplinary action. The company wants to encourage longer, stable deployments for better team performance and planning.
To help employees manage temporary work-from-home needs, TCS has allowed up to 30 days of exception requests in one go. This change is meant to make it easier for workers to handle space shortages or personal needs. However, these requests must still be approved in advance.
With these new policies, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) hopes to ensure that employees stay engaged, productive, and ready for future challenges. The company believes that setting clear expectations around deployment, learning, and office presence will support both business goals and individual development.
