TCS's layoff plans a rude shock for many who quit existing jobs

Thiruvananthapuram: The lay off plans of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has come as a rude shock for scores of experienced IT professionals who have quit their existing jobs after getting offer letters from the tech giant.

Over the last few months TCS gave offers to many IT professions working in different firms in Kerala as well as other states. But their joining dates were being postponed without citing any reason. Many of them, who shared their plight with DH, had quit their existing jobs and are now jobless.

Prathidhwani, a welfare forum of IT employees in Kerala, has sought the urgent intervention of the centre in this regard. A social media post made by the forum in this regard is being widely backed by many, who are said to be victims.

Prathidwani on Saturday sent representations to minister of labour and employment Mansukh Mandaviya and minister of electronics and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw seeking urgent intervention into the issue.

A woman IT professional who was working in an IT firm in Kochi is among the victims. "I got an offer letter to join in July first week at one of their centres in Kerala. Hence I quit my existing job after serving the two months notice period. A day ahead of the joining date I contacted the recruiter. Then only I was told that I need to wait until a welcome letter is sent by TCS. Now I am literally job-less and it is also quite difficult to find a new job when you are job-less," the woman with around five years of experience told DH.

Another IT professional with around ten years of experience said that he got the offer letter from the TCS's iBegin portal with a joining date in the middle of July. Hence he quit his existing job with a leading IT firm after serving the three months notice period. However, once he went to the TCS centre on the said day, the HR team said they have no communication regarding his recruitment. Following subsequent communications, he was informed that he would be able to join by next week. But he has not received any formal communication yet. "There are many like me with many years of experience who have now become job-less as TCS is delaying the joining after giving offer letters," he said.

Prathidhwani convenor Rajeev Krishnan said that if TCS had layoff plans they should not have issued offer letters. "The existing employees of TCS being laid off may get compensation. What about those who have quit their existing jobs after getting offer letters from TCS. The government should immediately intervene to protect those candidates who were put to severe emotional and financial stress by TCS," he said.

Krishnan said that so far at least 25 persons from Kerala were affected. Many who shared similar plight on the social media post of Prathidhwani were from other states, he said

DH sent an email query to TCS on Saturday seeking comments on the allegation. It is yet to be answered.