IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has rolled out a new associate deployment policy that mandates a minimum of 225 billed business days annually for each employee, stated a report by Times of India (TOI). The policy, effective June 12, aims to reduce idle time and ensure better workforce utilisation in line with the company’s organisational and individual performance goals.
According to a company document as reviewed by TOI, “At any given point in time, associates must be allocated for a minimum period of 225 business days in the last 12 months.” The company added that being unassigned for long periods can negatively affect an employee’s salary and career growth. “Long periods of remaining unallocated shall adversely impact associate compensation, career growth, avenues of overseas deployment in future, and continuity of employment with the organisation,” it added.
The new policy was outlined by Chandrasekaran Ramkumar, global head of TCS’s Resource Management Group (RMG). The RMG team focuses on maximising organisational utilisation by ensuring that associates are continuously engaged in client projects.
The document further maintained that if the associates are not assigned to any project, they must take the initiative to find work. “In the event an associate is unallocated, it is the primary responsibility of the associate to proactively engage with the Unit / Regional RMG for seeking allocation and take initiative towards pursuing suitable opportunities provided by the organisation,” it added.
Unallocated resources are employees who have been released from their previous projects, are available for new assignments, and are currently managed by the Resource Management Group (RMG).
While on the bench, employees are expected to spend 4 to 6 hours a day on learning using internal platforms like iEvolve, Fresco Play, and VLS, as well as external ones like LinkedIn. It said that such associates must complete all mandatory training, attend suggested in-person sessions, and keep their skills up to date. They are also required to use TCS’s Gen AI interview coach, work on interview feedback, and fully complete training programs.
Furthermore, to facilitate swift deployment, TCS has made physical office presence compulsory. While work-from-home or flexible work arrangements are not generally permitted, the document said, “…associates may request short-term flexible work options for personal emergencies in exceptional circumstances, subject to organisational policies and prior approval from the RMG.”
TOI had sent an email to TCS seeking comments on the new policy but did not receive any response.