The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding what it calls “illegal layoffs” at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). According to the union, nearly 2,500 employees in Pune alone have been “forced to resign or abruptly removed” in recent weeks, reported Outlook Business.
“The abrupt loss of livelihood has created a climate of fear, anxiety, and hopelessness across the IT workforce in Maharashtra,” said Harpreet Singh Saluja, President of NITES.
Social Media Posts Raise Questions About Layoff Scale
The complaint coincides with multiple reports on social media from individuals claiming to be ex-TCS employees, suggesting that the number of affected staff could be much higher. Earlier this year, TCS announced plans to lay off roughly 2% of its workforce — around 12,261 employees globally — targeting middle and senior-grade staff as part of a “future-ready” restructuring plan for FY26.
However, some online posts indicate that layoffs may have far exceeded initial estimates. One Reddit user claimed, “On July 27, 2025, TCS issued an internal circular announcing plans to release around 12,000 mid- to senior-level employees. However, the number is much higher than the initial announcement and had already exceeded 38,621 by September 30, 2025. This number is recognized, sanctioned, and accepted based on a discussion with a TCS HR executive (name undisclosed).”
Personal Accounts Spotlight Employee Struggles
Another post detailed how a TCS team working on 15 outdated IBM-based applications for a U.S. client was forced to meet an unrealistic one-month deadline for a full rewrite. The post said, “Two days ago, HR called my manager and terminated him immediately, citing ‘poor performance’ and ‘inability to deliver.’ The real reason? Since the project didn’t generate billing, he was deemed a ‘non-billable resource.’ He did not receive any severance pay and was forced to resign.”
“This man has a wife and two daughters. After years of loyal service, he is being discarded as if he never mattered. It is unfair, unethical, and heartbreaking that TCS punishes employees for management’s poor planning and impossible client promises,” the post added.
Union Demands Government Intervention
NITES also highlighted concerns about employees over 40, many of whom carry EMIs, school fees, and family responsibilities. The union stated, “Families who had planned their futures around the security of these jobs are now left devastated. Children’s education is at risk, loans may go unpaid, and households face emotional trauma and financial collapse.”
The union has urged the Maharashtra government to investigate the alleged terminations, enforce employee rights under the Industrial Disputes Act 1947, halt further layoffs, and hold TCS management accountable.
Responding to the allegations, TCS said the claims are “inaccurate and purposefully mischievous,” adding, “Only a limited number of employees have been affected by our recent initiative to realign skills in our organisation. Those who have been affected have been provided due care and severance, as applicable to each individual circumstance.”