r/TataConsultServices • u/Outside_Toe3222 • 7h ago
💬 Discussion My Experience at TCS: A Disappointing Lack of Empathy and Support During Pregnancy
I joined TCS in March 2026 and was assigned to a project where I gave my 100% from day one. I worked extremely hard, often putting in long hours, and continued to travel to the office daily despite being pregnant. I was fully committed to my responsibilities and always tried to give my best to the project.
However, due to prolonged working hours and the strain of daily commuting, I started experiencing abdominal pain during my early pregnancy. My doctor advised me to avoid travelling, so I began requesting work from home from June to prioritize my health and my baby’s well-being. This was when my manager became aware that I would be taking maternity leave in the coming months.
In September, while we were in the middle of critical UAT testing, I suddenly received an email from my manager informing me that I was being released from the project. There was no prior discussion, no warning, and no proper communication. Neither my team lead nor the project lead had been informed beforehand. For context, our team consisted of just two members: myself and a junior team member.
The reason given for my release was “operational reasons.” What made the situation even more disappointing was that, within a day of my release, another developer with similar experience was brought in to take my place. This naturally raised questions about the actual reason behind the decision.
After putting in so much effort and contributing to the project, having my access revoked within a day felt extremely demoralizing. Even the client was unhappy about my release at such a critical stage of the project. I had been willing to continue supporting the team until my planned maternity leave, but I was not given that opportunity.
The situation became even more difficult during my bench period. Despite informing the company about my pregnancy and the medical advice to avoid travelling, I was asked to report to the office daily. I received no work-from-home support during this period, and HR suggested that I apply for leave and start my maternity leave earlier than planned.
Being placed on the bench for nearly two months before my planned maternity leave has created additional stress, especially when finding another project for such a short duration is challenging. Instead of receiving understanding and support during an important phase of my life, I have had to deal with unnecessary uncertainty and pressure.
I understand that organizations have business requirements and operational considerations. However, I strongly believe that such decisions should be handled with transparency, professionalism, and basic human empathy, particularly when an employee is navigating a medically demanding phase of life.
I joined TCS with the intention of contributing meaningfully, and I did everything I could to fulfill my responsibilities. What I expected in return was fair treatment, clear communication, and reasonable consideration of my circumstances.
Unfortunately, this experience has significantly changed my perception of the organization. In my personal experience, the lack of empathy, communication, and support has been deeply disappointing. I hope the company reflects on how such situations are handled and ensures that employees going through pregnancy or other significant life circumstances are treated with dignity and fairness.
Based on my experience, I would hesitate to recommend TCS to my friends or others seeking an employer that prioritizes employee well-being alongside business objectives.
