Notice Period for Unallocated Employees in TCS: Comprehensive Guide

TCS, a leading information technology services company, has a strict policy regarding the notice period for all its employees. Serving the notice period is a mandatory requirement irrespective of your current allocation status. This policy ensures that the organization adheres to its terms and conditions and provides a smooth transition for the team and projects.

Understanding the TCS Notice Period Policy

Every employee in TCS is bound by the terms and conditions specified in their appointment order. These conditions often include a notice period clause. Upon acceptance of your resignation by HR, you are required to serve a notice period of three months or 90 days, depending on your location in India or offshore. This policy is consistent across all TCS geographies and applies to both project-based and bench employees.

Early Release and Bench Position

When an employee is on a bench position, they may feel unallocated or idle since they are not assigned to any project. However, this does not exempt you from serving the notice period. There are two scenarios that can occur in case of a bench position:

Early Release: If you are not valuable to the company, your Reporting Management Group (RMG) may grant you an early release. In such cases, you will be released as soon as possible, and you will only receive your basic pay for the remaining days of your notice period. The rest of the payments will be settled after a full and final clearance. Full Notice Period: If the RMG decides not to grant an early release, you will be required to serve the full notice period. This is in line with TCS's separation policy, which ensures a fair and transparent process for all employees.

The exact duration of the notice period can depend on your manager or the RMG. They may choose to release you earlier for a certain amount of compensation, or require you to complete the full notice period if they believe it is necessary for the team.

Factors Influencing Notice Period

Several factors can influence the notice period for an unallocated employee:

Experience and Salary: If you are an experienced professional with a high salary, your RMG and reporting manager may attempt to release you within a few days to minimize the loss to the company from keeping you on the bench. Governing Policies: Referring to TCS's internal separation policies, all confirmed employees, regardless of their current allocation status, are required to serve the notice period. Probation Status: Even if you are still on probation, you are bound to serve the notice period as per the clause in your appointment letter.

Leaving TCS Immediately

If you want to leave TCS immediately, you will have to adhere to their terms and policies. In such a case, you will need to pay a resignation charge, which is typically equivalent to 50,000 INR plus three months of your basic salary. This charge varies depending on your current salary and experience level.

It is important to note that TCS values its employees and does not allow immediate departures as it can impact project timelines and team dynamics. Therefore, the resignation process typically requires the fulfillment of the notice period or payment of the mentioned charges.