TCS has revised its work-from-office (WFO) policy regarding exception requests. According to a company notice to its Indian employees, personal emergencies can be used to justify up to six days per quarter. However, unused days cannot be carried over to the next quarter.
The company’s communication addresses the space constraints by allowing staff to submit up to 30 exceptions in a single entry. Network-related issues can be cited for five entries simultaneously. Exception requests not processed within 10 days face automatic rejection. Regarding late submissions, the note said, “Backdated entry will be allowed only up to two previous dates from the current date, and the missing WFO entry category can be raised for the current month till the 5th of the subsequent month.”
The organisation has prohibited bulk uploads or backend entries to seek exceptions to the office attendance requirement. TOI has examined the communication. The revised WFO regulations have established stricter office attendance requirements. An email sent to TCS didn’t elicit a response until it went to the press.
TCS was among a few other Indian IT companies that implemented a five-day office attendance policy. Other organisations require office presence for two or three days weekly. To ensure adherence, the company linked variable compensation to attendance compliance. In a previous conversation with TOI, the company’s HR head, Milind Lakkad, indicated the possibility of discontinuing this policy once stability is achieved.
In yet another communication, Lakkad addressed staff members and instructed managers about respectful feedback practices. I urge every leader to foster a positive and happy workplace where everyone looks forward to working and collaborating with others,” the message stated. Following the quarterly results announcement, Lakkad informed staff that entry-level employees would receive full variable pay, while mid- and senior-level staff’s variable pay would align with business performance.
