Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is facing renewed scrutiny after a fifth employee at its Nashik branch detailed disturbing allegations of workplace harassment, including inappropriate touching, stalking, and derogatory comments. The employee's statement to police, accessed by India Today, describes a prolonged period of harassment that began shortly after she joined as an associate in July 2024 and continued for approximately 1.5 years.
Allegations Detail Toxic Work Environment
According to the victim's statement, the harassment escalated from sexually suggestive comments during a September 2024 training session to unwanted physical contact. She reported instances of colleagues making inappropriate remarks about her body and attempting physical contact under the guise of work assistance. The allegations also include persistent sexual harassment, with unwanted touching of her feet and chest.
Beyond physical and verbal harassment, the employee claimed that her religious beliefs were questioned and deities mocked, causing significant distress. Investigators reportedly described the environment at the TCS BPO office as toxic, alleging that senior-level officials protected accused employees and ignored oral complaints regarding misconduct and punctuality issues. Complaints were allegedly discouraged from being escalated, and another victim was reportedly physically assaulted with a fan.
TCS Responds with Internal Investigation
In response to the surfacing allegations, TCS has outlined several steps taken to address the situation. The company confirmed it has initiated a comprehensive internal investigation, supported by expert teams from Deloitte and a prominent law firm, Trilegal. This internal probe is being led by Ms. Aarthi Subramanian, President and COO of TCS.
Furthermore, an Oversight Committee has been constituted, chaired by Keki Mistry, an Independent Director, to review the investigation's findings and implement any recommendations. TCS CEO K Krithivasan addressed media reports, clarifying that Ms. Nida Khan, frequently mentioned in the press, is a process associate and not an HR manager or responsible for recruitment. He also refuted claims that the Nashik unit had been shut down, stating it remains operational and continues to serve clients.