TCS cancelling the flexible work from home facility | How should employees deal with it

Question

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Answer 1

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Reports say TCS ending hybrid work policy from Oct 1; netizens say 'this means more traffic jams'

SUMMARY

• Currently, TCS has a hybrid work policy where employees have to be at the office thrice a week
• 'As we are in the silent period at the moment, we will not be able to comment,' said TCS
• In July, TCS' CHRO said that more than half of the staff at the company has been working from office three days a week

Amid reports of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) ending its hybrid work policy on October 1, 2023, netizens said this move would fuel more traffic jams and also lead to massive attrition.

Moneycontrol reported on Friday that managers in various divisions of the IT major have been imploring employees to return to the office five times a week. The Mumbai-headquartered company, however, will reportedly retain flexibility/hybrid policies and make exceptions wherever necessary. Currently, TCS has a hybrid work policy where employees have to be at the office thrice a week.

An internal email accessed by CNBC-TV18 stated, "As communicated by the CEO and chief human resources officer (CHRO) in various townhalls, all associates must attend office on all the working days (5 days per week if there are no holidays) starting 1 October 2023."

“As we are in the silent period at the moment, we will not be able to comment on your query," said TCS when asked for a comment.

In July, in a post-Q1 earnings call, Milind Lakkad, the Chief Human Resource Officer of TCS, noted that work from the office is being actively practised at the IT services major.

Lakkad said that more than half of the staff at the company has been working from the office three days a week. He said, "Our Return to Office initiative is picking pace, with 55 per cent of the workforce already in office thrice a week."

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, all IT companies resorted to work from work-from-home policy to keep the work going. However, with the spectre of 'moonlighting' emerging, where IT employees have been seen working for two companies at the same time, WFH policy has been frowned upon. With COVID cases on the wane, the IT majors had at first implemented a hybrid work policy where employees would come to the office thrice a week.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, all IT companies resorted to work from work-from-home policy to keep the work going. However, with the spectre of 'moonlighting' emerging, where IT employees have been seen working for two companies at the same time, WFH policy has been frowned upon. With COVID cases on the wane, the IT majors had at first implemented a hybrid work policy where employees would come to the office thrice a week.

In June, TCS revealed that attrition rates among its women employees have surpassed those among men. This development has raised concerns about the potential impact of the end of work-from-home arrangements.

Lakkad highlighted the unusual nature of this trend. "Historically, the attrition among women employees — who constitute over 35 per cent of our workforce of over 600,000 — has been lower or similar to that of men," he noted. Lakkad suggested that the domestic arrangements reset during the pandemic might have prevented some women from returning to the office even after normalcy was restored.

“I would think working from home during the pandemic reset the domestic arrangements for some women, keeping them from returning to office even after everything normalised," he said in an interview published in the company's annual report.

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Answer 2

What to Do if Your Company is Forcing You to Go Back to the Office

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people proved they could carry out their job duties effectively from the comfort of their own homes.

Now as the pandemic drags on, some employers are pushing to require that their employees come back to the office, despite reluctance from workers who are concerned about the virus or simply prefer working remotely and would like to forget going back to the office altogether.

If you're in this position, you may be wondering: can your company force you to return to the office even if you'd rather stay home? How can you negotiate agreeable terms with your employer?

Every situation is different, but here are four steps to consider using as you navigate the situation.

1. Know Your Rights and the Rights of Your Employer

For the most part, employers do have the right to require employees to work in person, and can legally fire employees who refuse to come in. However, some legal considerations could support workers who wish to make a case for insisting on staying home. Consider the relevance of these points to your situation and if necessary, seek an opinion from a legal expert for help.

OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) made the following statement on the subject:

Generally, your employer may require you to come to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some government emergency orders may affect which businesses can remain open during the pandemic.

Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a safe and healthful workplace. If you have concerns, you have the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation.

In other words, employers may require employees to come into the office, but can't do so in the face of any current emergency orders which would mandate otherwise. Moreover, they must provide a safe work environment, including appropriate Covid safety protocols. If these aren't provided, employees can complain to OSHA, and firing employees for doing so is illegal.

The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is another factor to be aware of. It forbids companies from discriminating against workers with disabilities and mandates that they make reasonable accommodations that would allow them to perform their duties. Those who are at high risk of complications from contracting COVID-19 could point to this act as they make their case for continuing to work from home. Learn more about ADA applicability to COVID here.

2. Check Your Company's Remote Work Policy

Many employers provide a written remote work policy. Look for it on the company website, your employment contract, or any employee handbook or onboarding materials you may have been given. If you still can't find one, ask your employer for a copy of one (preferably via email, so that it can be reviewed in writing).

Knowing what the company has already said about remote work will help you in your discussion. For example, it may identify who to speak to about it, what kinds of factors they weigh in deciding who needs to be at work in person, guidelines regarding a leave of absence, consequences for noncompliance, or what they may hope to achieve by having employees in the office in person.

3. Consider Your Company's Leverage and Your Values

As with any negotiation, just because one side wants something doesn't necessarily mean they'll get it. Your employer is asking for a concession, but it's up to you to determine how valuable that concession is to you and how much you think it may be worth to them.

As you consider this question, ask yourself the following about yourself and those around you:

1) What consequences have my employer identified for those who don't return to the office?

2) How do my coworkers feel about returning to the office, and how vocal are they about it?

3) What does management stand to gain by my return?  What do they stand to lose if I continue to work from home? Are there any positives for the company should they continue to allow remote work?

4) How essential am I to the company and how difficult am I to replace?

5) How essential is this job to me and how difficult would it be to replace it?

6) How much do I value continuing to work from home?

7) How do I feel about compromises such as a hybrid work schedule?

If you determine that your position is strong and the risk is manageable, responding to their request might be as simple as politely – but firmly – saying no.

4. Utilize Good Negotiation Skills

However you communicate it, one way or another your response to the call to return to the office is essentially your side of a renegotiation of your job duties and work environment. Treat it the way you would any negotiation. Equipped with a sense of your rights, the company's aims, and your values, communicate your position at the right time and in a friendly and confident manner.

Answer 3

Hate Your Job? 7 Ways To Stay Mentally Strong

Going to a job you hate every single day can have a serious effect on your well-being. And that disdain is very likely to spill over into your personal life as well.

You might spend half of your Sundays dreading the arrival of Monday—which causes you to lose precious hours of your weekend. And your family can probably attest to your bad mood every time you arrive home from work.

If you’re not careful, a job you hate can quickly drain you of the mental strength you need to think, feel, and act your best. And that can wreak havoc on your work performance.

Yet, even in this tough situation, you can take steps to stay as mentally strong as possible.

1. Create clear boundaries.

Growing impatient with a co-worker who monopolizes your time, or dealing with someone who tries to take credit for your work, are a couple of signs that your boundaries may have been violated.

The thought of speaking up and saying things like, "I am not going to continue this conversation," or "Actually, I'm the one that finished that report," may be intimidating.

But you must set limits on the behaviours you don’t want to tolerate. Manage your emotions, speak up, and respond to issues in a productive manner.

2. Focus only on what you can control.

Is your boss a jerk? Does your company have ridiculous policies? These things are not likely to change any time soon. So don't waste precious energy on things you can't control.

Instead, focus on controlling how you respond to these things.

3. Only complain to people who can help.

A 2015 study found that when employees complained about someone to a colleague, their moods plummeted, and their engagement declined for two days. Rehashing a difficult experience with a co-worker will only make it stick in your mind even longer.

Although it might feel satisfying at the time, complaining to people who can't do anything to fix a situation doesn’t solve the problem.

If you need help dealing with someone, then go to a supervisor or HR. Speak with someone who can help address the issue if necessary.

4. Make a friend.

Remember, friendships in the office should be built on something you share outside of the office, rather than just basic talk about the job.

Make a close friend at work, and you'll boost your workplace satisfaction by 25 per cent.  So don't be afraid to get to know a co-worker on a deeper level.

Even if nothing else changes, at least you will have someone you can chat with in the hallways. This alone can make you feel better at your job.

5. Lunch breaks are important.

A 2018 study found that the best way to rejuvenate during a lunch break is to engage in mindfulness exercises. Individuals who practised mindful meditation for a few minutes during lunch experienced higher levels of well-being at the end of the workday.

Don't eat lunch at your desk or immediate work environment. Get away from that atmosphere, and do something that relaxes your mind and body. This will go a long way to help you get through the second half of your day.

6. Get plenty of exercise and sleep.

A person who is mistreated in the workplace is likely to mistreat his or her loved ones when at home.

According to a study conducted by the University of Central Florida, the best way to avoid taking out your frustrations on your family is to get plenty of sleep and exercise. Individuals who were physically active and who got the most sleep were less likely to mistreat their families after being mistreated by a difficult co-worker.

7. Establish an exit strategy.

A toxic work environment can wear down even the strongest of people over time. So create a clear exit plan that identifies when and how you'll leave.

If you dislike your job, you need a light at the end of the tunnel. You may decide to stick it out for one more year to see if things get better, or you may need to stay until your financial situation gets caught up. In any case, don't succumb to 40 miserable hours a week for life.

Be Strong and Stay Strong

Create an environment that builds mental strength. If your job is still wearing you down, then change it. Get a new job. Launch a new career. 

One definition of strength is powering through anything—even toxic, unhealthy situations. But quitting your job isn't necessarily a sign of weakness. It can be a sign of strength. This could be the key to developing the mental muscle you need to reach your greatest potential.

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Answer 4

20 Companies Embracing Permanent Remote Work-From-Home Jobs

The transition to working from home has been fast and furious for many organizations over the past few years. Many companies have learned that embracing permanent remote work is the future of work. And although some companies have reversed their promises, there are many more that haven’t abandoned their policies and don’t intend to.

Below are 20 companies that have switched to being remote long-term, embracing it for the future and not abandoning their policy. Included with each company are some recent remote opportunities that have been posted to the FlexJobs job board.

1. Airbnb
Airbnb was formed to connect people looking to rent out their extra spaces with travellers seeking clean, comfortable, and safe accommodations. Airbnb listings include traditional and nontraditional dwellings around the world, from vacation rentals to bed-and-breakfasts and even treehouses and castles.

Remote work policy: Airbnb allows its employees to live and work from anywhere.

Recent remote job openings:

Senior Android Software Engineer, Pricing Guidance
Legal Investigations Associate
Staff Technical Program Manager
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

2. Ancestry.com
Ancestry.com is a leading provider of accessible, online family history research services, with more than 12 billion records, proprietary search technologies, and a community of nearly 2 million subscribers.

Remote work policy: Ancestry.com is committed to a location-flexible work approach, allowing employees to work from where they want—in an office, from home, or a hybrid of both.

Recent remote job openings:

International General Ledger Accountant
Manager, Communications
Director, Customer and Community Experience
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

3. Aquent
Aquent is a multinational staffing and recruiting agency that places design and marketing professionals in permanent and contract roles in areas like marketing, graphic design, and information technology.

Remote work policy: Aquent has converted to remote work and will keep a small percentage of its office space for large meetings or special projects and clients.

Recent remote job openings:

Communications Program Manager
Graphic Designer
Content Writer
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

4. Atlassian
Founded in 2002, Atlassian is a publicly traded computer software business specializing in collaboration, development, and issue-tracking software for teams.

Remote work policy: Atlassian employees can work from home permanently.

Recent remote job openings:

Lead Product Designer
Corporate Finance Planning Lead
Director of Public Policy
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

5. Capita plc
Capita plc is a transformation and digital services consultancy that works to simplify interactions between businesses and customers, governments, and citizens.

Remote work policy: Capita plc has adopted a hybrid work model and allows associates to “work from home the majority of the time.”

Recent remote job openings:

Procurement Manager
Pensions Operations Manager
Finance Analyst
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

6. Cimpress
Cimpress is a public internet company based in Ireland that specializes in building mass-customization businesses by delivering affordable and convenient products.

Remote work policy: Cimpress is a remote-first company that empowers its associates “to personalize how and where [they] work.”

Recent remote job openings:

Principal Product Manager
Manager, SEC Reporting and Technical Accounting
Senior Privacy Program Manager
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

7. Coinbase
Founded in 2012, Coinbase is a digital currency exchange dedicated to creating an open and global financial system. Traders, merchants, and consumers use the platform to buy and sell cryptocurrencies.

Remote work policy: Coinbase has switched to a “remote-first” work basis.

Recent remote job openings:

Internal Audit Analyst
Market Regulation Investigator
Corporate Paralegal, Securities
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

8. Drift.com
Drift is an internet company now considered one of the world’s best conversational marketing platforms and specializes in helping “businesses buy from businesses.”

Remote work policy: Drift is a digital-first company offering remote work as “the primary experience for all employees.”

Recent remote job openings:

Senior Software Engineer – Frontend
Senior Software Engineer Backend
Product Marketing Manager
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

9. Dropbox
Dropbox helps people and companies keep files in sync and share and collaborate on projects anytime and anywhere.

Remote work policy: Dropbox is a virtual-first company that allows employees to work from home permanently. Existing office spaces are now Dropbox Studios, where people can work in person if they choose to.

Recent remote job openings:

Lead Product Designer, New Products
Motion Design Lead
SEO Specialist
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

10. Google
Google is one of the most ubiquitous tech organizations in the world, with products including the Chrome web browser, Android mobile operating system, AdWords revenue builder, YouTube, maps and satellite images, Gmail, and file-sharing cloud solutions.

Remote work policy: Google has adopted a hybrid work model “designed to maximize flexibility while still facilitating innovation, collaboration, and camaraderie of in-office experiences.”

Recent remote job openings:

Group Product Manager
Research Scientist
Staff Software Engineer, Machine Learning
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

11. HubSpot
HubSpot is an inbound marketing and sales platform. The company’s products help businesses manage website content, publish social media, grow blogs, and more.

Remote work policy: HubSpot has adopted a hybrid model. Employees can work in an office two or more days per week, or they can work from home a majority of the time.

Recent remote job openings:

Mid-Market Sales Manager
Technical Lead, Reliability
Small Business Growth Specialist
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

12. Instacart
Founded in 2012, Instacart offers on-demand food and grocery delivery across the United States.

Remote work policy: Instacart has introduced a “Flex First” policy through which it “provides employees the autonomy to live anywhere within the country they’re based while participating in regular in-person gatherings.”

Recent remote job openings:

Senior Counsel, Digital Media and Advertising
Senior Regulatory Counsel
Director, Financial Data
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

13. Reddit
Reddit is an online platform that unites people with similar interests. These connected communities talk and share information about their passions.

Remote work policy: Reddit allows employees to choose permanent remote work, with options for in-office work in a casual environment.

Recent remote job openings:

Software Engineer, Ads Infra
Staff Data Scientist, Threat Detection
Procurement Operations Manager
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

14. SAP
SAP provides real-time data processing solutions for clients in over 180 countries. The company’s services include application platform and infrastructure, IT and data management, and security software.

Remote work policy: SAP has adopted a 100% flexible, trust-based work model.

Recent remote job openings:

Digital Experience Web Manager
Client Sales Executive
Artificial Intelligence Specialist
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

15. Shopify
Established in 2004, Shopify is an e-commerce company that has developed a multi-channel, cloud-based commerce platform for small and mid-sized companies.

Remote work policy: Shopify is a digital-first company.

Recent remote job openings:

Content Manager
Senior Partner Marketing Manager
Lifecycle Marketer
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

16. Spotify
Spotify is a Swedish company founded in 2008 that provides music, comedy, podcast, and streaming services.

Remote work policy: Spotify employees can work from home, a Spotify office, or a coworking space.

Recent remote job openings:

Data Scientist, Content Analytics Music Partnerships
Product Director – Image Artwork Performance – Design Platform
Research Scientist, Computational Economics
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

17. Square, Inc.
Square began as a small credit card-reading application and now provides merchants with the ability to manage point-of-sale systems, accept credit card payments, and sell online.

Remote work policy: Many Square, Inc. employees can work from home permanently.

Recent remote job openings:

Regulatory Compliance Counsel
Web Measurement Analyst, Marketing Analytics
Corporate Accountant
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

18. TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a marketplace platform that connects people with skilled “Taskers” to handle everyday jobs and errands.

Remote work policy: TaskRabbit has implemented a remote-first strategy.

Recent remote job openings:

Senior Technical Program Manager
Claims and Risk Operations Specialist, Portuguese-Speaking
CRM Marketing Lead
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

19. Twilio
Twilio is a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) company that provides users with a way to make and receive calls and texts using web service APIs.

Remote work policy: Twilio is now a remote-first company.

Recent remote job openings:

Sales Development Representative
Software Engineer, L3
Strategic Account Executive
Explore more remote and hybrid jobs hiring now here!

20. Vista
Vista partners with millions of small businesses to help them achieve success with design and marketing options for digital and physical assets.
Remote work policy: Vista is now fully remote.

Recent remote job openings:

Moderator
Lead UX User Experience Designer – Digital Design Platform
Lead Human Resources Advisor