TCS Bench policy

A few months ago, I joined TCS with excitement, eager to work on new projects. But after finishing my first assignment, I was placed on the bench—a situation many employees face between projects. At first, I was concerned, not sure how long I could sit on the bench without getting in trouble. I realised that's a phase everyone passes through, although it can feel disturbing after asking colleagues for clarity on the TCS Bench policy. From my experience, being on the bench for a few weeks to a few months is common. TCS provides time to upskill during this period, but extended bench time can be concerning. While getting fired for being on the bench isn't the norm, TCS prioritises action—taking courses, improving skills, and being open to new roles to stay relevant. Continuous upskilling reduces any potential risks tied to long-term benching.

When I first joined TCS, I completed a major project within six months and soon found myself on the bench. Initially, I was tense, thinking that being on the bench could lead to termination. However, after speaking with some colleagues and doing my own research, I learned more about the TCS Bench policy. According to the policy, being on the bench is a normal part of the project lifecycle, especially in a large organization like TCS where projects vary in size and timelines. You can remain on the bench for a few weeks to a couple of months, during which TCS encourages employees to upskill or reskill through online training. You won’t get fired simply for being on the bench, but staying active and open to new opportunities is key to ensuring you’re picked for the next assignment faster.

According to the TCS Bench Policy, an employee is permitted to stay on the bench for various periods which typically could range from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. However, the exact duration is dependent upon factors such as project demands, the skills of the employee and overall business needs. Employees on the bench are however advised to make use of the time in upskilling and doing internal projects to be productive. The TCS Bench policy does not guarantee that employees will be dismissed simply because they are on the bench, it does not encourage or support keeping employees on the bench for unreasonable amounts of time. Excessive periods without project allocation may trigger performance improvement plans (PIPs) or adjustment to other roles. As a matter of course, TCS tries as much as possible to reduce bench time with the use of frequent communication, training, and career counselling.

There won't be any issues if you spend as much time as you like on the bench period. There are no such regulations in the TCS bench policy, unlike other businesses where employees are fired after serving on the bench for a continuous period of six months or more. But there are consequences of being on the bench. There won't be an appraisal because there isn't any performance. Your salary won't increase; it will stay the same. When a project interview is later held, your supervisors will inquire about what you have learnt during your bench time. Since you have not worked in a project atmosphere, it will be challenging to transfer to another organization. In the case, your bench period exceeds six months, your name will appear in red on the RMG Excel sheet.

In simple terms,you will be allowed to stay on bench for few weeks or months depending on your RMG in finding an allocation but sometimes things may take a turn making you to stay for long I mean for more months or years if they are unable to find an allocation but never fire those who are on bench (due to their adherence on job security).Would suggest to make use of it by upgrading your skillset to get an allocation pertaining to the same or else you can move on by finding some other company with much better offer by those skills that you gained in that period..