TCS Summoned by Pune Labour Commissioner on ‘Unlawful Termination’ Complaints

The Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's leading IT company, has been issued a notice by the Labour Commissioner’s Office in Pune following several months of employee layoffs as the company prepares to reduce its workforce by 2%. Following several complaints from the Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) on the ongoing TCS layoffs, the Labour Commissioner's office summoned the business, according to the IT employee protection group. In a post on X, NITES stated that the Pune Labour Commissioner Office had summoned Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in a number of cases that NITES had filed pertaining to wrongful layoffs and terminations of employment.

Hearing will be Conducted on 18 November        

The matter's hearing has been set for November 18. According to NITES, it has received numerous complaints from TCS workers in different locations over the last few months about coercive employment practices, coerced resignations, abrupt terminations, and denial of statutory dues. As it prepares to fire thousands of employees due to an AI push, TCS recorded a sharp decline in its workforce during the June–September quarter.

According to the company's Q3 report, the net number of employees decreased by 20,000 as compared to the same time the previous year. At the time, NITES claimed that the IT major had downplayed the figures. Data revealed that, as of the second quarter of the fiscal year 2025–2026, TCS had a total workforce of 593,314 employees, down 19,755 from the 613,069 employees at the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year.

Why Labour Commissioner Took Puntive Action?

According to NITES, the Pune labour commissioner took action after it assisted TCS employees who had been laid off in bringing legal charges against the company. Assuring them of their legal rights, the organisation also encouraged workers in like circumstances to come forward if they had been the victim of wrongful termination, forced resignation, non-payment of dues, or any other kind of coercion or unfair treatment.

NITES went on to say that filing a formal grievance on behalf of impacted workers is a crucial step in guaranteeing accountability and protecting their job rights. NITES is still dedicated to helping IT and ITES staff members who need help or direction with submitting complaints or comprehending their legal options. In the fiscal year 2025–2026, TCS intends to lay off some 12,000 workers, or as much as 2% of its global workforce.

In the midst of the drive for artificial intelligence (AI), the IT behemoth intends to concentrate on restructuring plans. However, Sudeep Kunnumal, the chief human resources officer, denied media reports, claiming that the figures were exaggerated. However, he acknowledged firing 6,000 workers, or 1% of the workforce, including those in the mid- and senior-level positions.