Labour Department of Maharashtra pulls up TCS over its transfer practices

The Labour Department of Maharashtra Government has issued a notice to information technology (IT) giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) over its transfer practices. The move comes after Pune-based union Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) had filed a formal complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment against TCS for its “unethical transfer practices”.

NITES said it received more than 300 complaints that TCS has been “systematically forcing more than 2,000 employees to transfer to different cities without proper notice or consultation, causing immense hardship for them and their families”.

“…A joint meeting of the complainant and our management regarding redressal of the complaint/settlement has been held on 18/01/2024 at 12.00 noon in the office at the above address before the undersigned and you should attend the said meeting personally or through an authorised representative with the appropriate documents,” the notice sent in Marathi by the Labour Department reads.

“The company (TCS) had threatened the employees that failure to comply with the transfer directions would result in disciplinary actions. The company now has unethically stopped the salary of employees, who are opposing these forced transfers. NITES strongly condemns the illegal tactics of TCS forcing employees either to accept the forced transfers or resign from the job,” said Harpreet Singh Saluja, President of NITES.

An email, seen by Moneycontrol, which was sent by the HR department to employees of TCS Mumbai directed them to report to their branches within 14 days and complete the transfer process.

“However, it has been noted that you have failed to report to the transferred branch till date. Considering your failure to report to the transferred location and offer your services, even after 14 days of the given timeline, the Company is initiating a stoppage of your salary with immediate effect. The Company is proceeding with further disciplinary action against you for your continued failure to obey Company order and breach of terms of your employment,” the mail read.

Moneycontrol was not able to verify the date on which the mail was sent. We have reached out to TCS and the story will be updated accordingly when TCS responds.

In October 2023, The Ministry of Labour and Employment of Maharashtra also issued a notice to TCS over a complaint of delaying onboarding of “200 lateral recruits” filed by a Pune-based IT union.

As per the letter issued by the government, a joint meeting of management has been called on November 2, 2023, in the morning to present TCS’ case. Moneycontrol