Tata Consultancy Orders 5-Day RTO For US Staff, Plans Layoffs

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has issued an immediate mandate requiring all US employees to return to the office five days per week, according to a report by The Register.

The policy, announced via email from HR, is aimed at “enriching our workplace experience.” Exceptions will only be granted to employees based at client sites or those with previously approved work-from-home arrangements.

“We can confirm that as a part of our ongoing plan to return to office globally, our US operations have also resumed full week working from the office, like many other regions,” TCS told The Register. “Our associates located at client sites continue to follow the guidance of respective clients regarding work location.”

TCS had more than 45,000 employees placed at client companies in the US in 2023, according to a company press release.

Is the move tied to layoffs?

The announcement has sparked speculation about potential job cuts, with rumors circulating internally that up to 30% of US-based roles could be affected. TCS denied the claims: “While we don’t comment on rumors and speculation, we can confirm we have not announced any layoffs in the US,” the company said.

However, on July 28, Reuters reported that Tata plans to lay off 12,000 employees by 2026. 

This RTO order follows heightened scrutiny of TCS’s hiring and retention practices globally, including complaints in India about its controversial “Bench Policy.”

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