By Kavita Mistry 
In a serious escalation, the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, citing the indefinite delay in onboarding over 600 lateral hires by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). These professionals had already received confirmed offer letters and joining dates but were left jobless and without explanation on their expected start dates.
Cities Hit the Hardest
The complaint identifies that the affected candidates hail from major IT cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi. Many had resigned from existing roles, turned down other opportunities, and even relocated, trusting the credibility of a company as reputed as TCS. However, on their scheduled joining dates, these candidates were notified last minute that onboarding had been postponed indefinitely—with no further communication from the company.
Financial and Emotional Fallout
The delay has caused severe disruption in the lives of these professionals. Harpreet Singh Saluja, President of NITES, stated, “Many are struggling with EMIs, rent, and basic living costs. The emotional stress is equally intense.” The situation has not only put their financial planning in disarray but also affected their mental health and family wellbeing.
NITES Demands Action
In its appeal to the Ministry of Labour, NITES has demanded:
- A clear, time-bound onboarding commitment from TCS
- Financial compensation for the delay period
- Access to mental health support under TCS’s Employee Assistance Program
- Consideration for alternate roles within the company for affected candidates
Saluja called TCS’s conduct “unjust and unethical,” stressing that such practices violate the principles of fair employment and can have long-term repercussions on the trust professionals place in large organizations.
Silence from TCS
As of now, TCS has not issued a public response or explanation for the onboarding delays, further deepening uncertainty for those affected.
The incident raises broader concerns about employment practices in India’s IT sector and the need for regulatory oversight to protect the rights of jobseekers.