TCS Halts Appraisals for WFO Non-Compliance, Stirs IT Debate

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has paused anniversary appraisals for employees not complying with work-from-office (WFO) requirements.
• Employees non-compliant in the July–September 2025 quarter will have appraisals halted; continued non-compliance leads to exclusion from FY26 banding.
• TCS mandates five days a week in office, making it the first major Indian IT firm to link appraisals directly to attendance.
• The company previously tied variable pay to attendance and tightened exception rules, allowing limited personal emergency days.
• This move intensifies debate on workplace flexibility in the Indian technology sector amid slowing growth and productivity scrutiny.

Why It Matters: TCS links appraisals to WFO compliance, signaling a firm stance on office attendance in Indian IT.