Why is TCS Letting Go of 12,000 Employees? The Unspoken Side

Alas! I read about this big move at TCS! They are letting go of about twelve thousand employees. That is about two per cent of their global workforce. Means thousands of mid and senior-level staff are affected.

What surprised me is that they said this is not just about cutting costs. The CEO insisted that it is not due to AI productivity gains. Rather, it is about a mismatch between what skills the company needs and what people currently have. They tried reskilling and redeployment. But some roles did not fit into the new model.

TCS says it wants to become more agile and future-ready. The technology world is shifting fast. They are moving to AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and data solutions. Many traditional project and program managers are no longer in demand. That, they say, is the real reason behind the cuts.

This also comes with a stricter bench policy. More than thirty-five days without a project could lead to termination. They now require employees on the bench to train and be in the office. Billable days are fixed at 225 per year.

Here is the part that feels like a warning lamp for industry watchers. Analysts call this a "canary in the coal mine" for Indian IT services. If TCS is doing this, other big firms could be next. For investors, it shows deep structural shifts and rising risk.

But I keep wondering: is TCS doing the right thing? Sure, they plan to offer severance, health insurance, and career support. Yet letting go of so many skilled people in the name of future readiness leaves a question. Does their reputation stand for resilience or caution?

I urge TCS not to go this way, as thousands of professionals have built their careers with you, given their best, and adapted through every shift and transformation. Let us not forget that they are not just resources. They are people. Loyal employees, skilled minds, and families depending on them.

Reskilling takes time. Guidance, too. Cutting off may seem faster, but rebuilding trust is much slower. With the reputation and strength TCS holds, you have the chance to lead by example, not just in business, but in care.

So, before letting go, can we ask,  have we truly done everything possible to support employees?

Let this not be remembered as a cost-cutting move, but a human-first decision made by a company millions admire.

The Last Word: Dear TCS, if you really go ahead with laying off 12,000+ of your own, think again. People are not just employees; they are your real capital. Investors are watching. The market reacts not only to numbers, but to sentiment, trust, and ethics. You risk more than talent loss. You risk public confidence. If the people lose faith in your values, they will lose interest in your stock, too.