‘Resign or be blacklisted’: Why is Kerala IT forum Prathidhwani challenging TCS termination culture?

Prathidhwani, the welfare and recreation forum of Kerala Infopark employees, has issued a sharp condemnation of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) over what it called an ‘inhumane’ termination policy.

In a Facebook post on Monday, the forum said:

“Prathidhwani, the welfare organization of IT employees, strongly condemns the shocking reports of mass terminations at TCS. The manner in which employees are being treated is nothing short of inhumane. Forcing employees to resign within minutes over phone calls, coupled with rude and threatening language from HR officials, is a blatant violation of employee dignity and fundamental rights.”

The post described the “pink slip culture” as unacceptable, stressing that employees are “the backbone of the IT industry and the driving force behind its global success.” It added that companies like TCS, built on the relentless hard work of lakhs of employees, carry a moral responsibility to support, reskill, and upskill their workforce instead of abandoning them in the name of “business needs.”

Concerns over arbitrary terminations

Prathidhwani warned that the absence of clear criteria or transparent guidelines has made the situation more alarming. It alleged that the terminations appeared arbitrary, carried out to meet headcount reduction targets, leaving employees anxious and uncertain about their futures.

The forum demanded that TCS and all IT companies end the practice immediately and adopt what it called a “humane, people-first approach.” It emphasised that respect, training, and job security must form the foundation of responsible organisations, not “fear, intimidation, and forced resignations.”

Prathidhwani also reaffirmed its solidarity with IT employees and confirmed that it had submitted representations to both State and Central government authorities, urging them to intervene and hold companies accountable for what it termed “unjust practices.”

Employee accounts of pressure

The criticism comes after Prathidhwani had earlier flagged TCS over onboarding delays and a layoff plan.

Media reports have since highlighted the ordeal faced by employees. According to these reports, human resources (HR) officials are pressuring staff, particularly those on the bench, to resign. Employees alleged that their profiles were frozen, project allocations blocked, and threats issued of bad reviews, blacklisting, or salary freezes if they refused to quit.

Some employees said they face daily calls urging them to resign, describing the experience as “mental harassment and torture.” They added that they felt betrayed by assurances of job security and a supportive work culture, saying the environment has grown increasingly toxic and demoralising.