Tech workers’ unions across India have raised serious concerns against Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), alleging that the company is resorting to coercion, threats, and pressure tactics to force employee resignations. The accusations have emerged ahead of the company’s second-quarter results for July–September 2025, which are expected on October 9. Unions are monitoring these results to assess the extent of job reductions before deciding on further actions or protests.

Allegations by UNITE and KITU

The Union of IT and ITES Employees (UNITE) highlighted that TCS is using what they describe as shock tactics. Employees are being pressured to take adverse actions against themselves or human resources staff. Alagunambi Welkin, General Secretary at UNITE, condemned the practice and urged the State and Union governments to enforce industrial standing orders and penalise TCS for its violations.

The Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU) confirmed that conciliation proceedings with TCS management are ongoing under the supervision of Additional Labour Commissioner G. Manjunath. Sooraj Nidiyanga, General Secretary at KITU, stated that they had submitted evidence including audio recordings of management pressuring employees to resign. Another conciliation meeting is scheduled for October 15, 2025, to resolve these disputes.

NITES Reports Forced Resignations in Pune

The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) has reported that over 2,500 TCS employees in Pune were being forced to resign. Complaints have been submitted to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the Labour Ministry, seeking urgent intervention.

Advocate Harpreet Singh Saluja, President of NITES, described how employees were threatened with termination, withholding of full and final settlements, denial of relieving letters, and blacklisting in the industry. Many employees affected had been serving TCS for over a decade, creating immense financial and emotional distress for families relying on salaries for home loans, children’s education, and medical expenses. Mr. Saluja emphasised that these resignations are not voluntary but purely coerced.

TCS Response

TCS has denied the allegations, calling reports misinformation and mischievous. The company stated that only a limited number of employees were affected by a recent skills realignment initiative. TCS added that employees impacted by the initiative were provided with due care, severance, and support in accordance with individual circumstances.

Despite the company’s denial, unions remain firm in their stance that coercion and threats are being used, and the issue has garnered attention from labour authorities across states.

Implications for Employees and Tech Industry

If proven true, these allegations raise serious concerns about employee rights in India’s IT sector. Forced resignations and coercion undermine trust between employees and corporate management, leading to legal, financial, and emotional repercussions.

The upcoming TCS second-quarter results on October 9 will be a critical point in determining how widespread these terminations have been. Unions have indicated that the results may shape further protest strategies or demand stronger government intervention.

Conclusion

TCS, one of India’s flagship IT companies, now faces nationwide scrutiny over allegations of coercion and threats towards employees. With unions such as UNITE, KITU, and NITES actively engaging authorities, the issue is likely to trigger discussions on enforcing labour laws and industrial regulations. Employees, unions, and government authorities are awaiting the company’s Q2 results to decide on the next course of action.

The situation highlights the need for corporate responsibility, transparency, and protection of workers’ rights in India’s fast-growing IT sector, ensuring that employees are not left vulnerable to coercive practices.

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