Clarity: TCS Retention

Retention in TCS is a huge conundrum, so I am here to clarify the subject.

TCS does offer retention. For exceptional talent, they match 100%. Other cases they match 60 to 80% of the offer. They also dont try retaining resource heavy projects or skill gap cases. Even low ball to 20 to 30% just for the sake.

First, let me start by saying Retention is super dependent on HR Team. If you are in an influential project then there might be a slight advantage but mostly the HR body responsible for retention. It operates like an Independent body. What the project says is taken into consideration thats pretty much it. But organisation and its policies come first.

My 2 experiences, both times the dude was super chill. Now a cool LinkedIn bud. Very professional, analysed objectively, took stuff into consideration, and so forth. Increase was added to base pay, BoB, and so forth. Even elevate incentive was bumped up. The whole team was cool. They had a vision.

Project was also cool. Got A band even after all this althought the hike % was less. But yeah things were good.

But like all good things that happen to TCS this too was squandered by jealousy and complexes. Recently, it has been filled with egotistical, arrogant pricks who are pretty much useless. Show numbers and thats pretty much it. The whole management is in chaos. The good folks left. Tbh I guess that was the biggest sign. When good HR folks leave something is really messed up.

I changed project and Recent retention exp, the Offer but everything goes to VP + Retention bonus which I would get 1 year after completing in a yearly cycle after 5 years it becomes part of my CTC. So essentially getting 2 L less than the matched offer for 1 year. Won't be considered for the promotion cycle and wont be part of appraisal process. Which makes no sense. Like dafaq.

Then on top of that they were belittling me saying this is the best I can get. I wont get anything more. New manager was an ass as well telling TCS will do great stuff and will send onsite for short period. Dont leave I will regret and such nonsense. One of the PM even had the audacity to say what I Quoted I will never get.

This time it was super toxic hence told then Tata Bye Bye. Even now its pretty toxic. Poking daily usual stuff. Just my exp.

Now exp from alot of close colleagues in diff project and sister projects:

Alot of them faced issues from back then as well to even recent after retention increased load, work pressure, more documentation, KT recording with Manager, new junior onboarding, etc.

Most of them were given C band in subsequent years. Low hikes.

Nobody's onsite promise ever came bore fruit.

Most of us have left or leaving myself included. Old TL, PM, and Delivery Manager, retention is crap. Everything in VP and Retention bonus. Plus painting a target on the back.

Also for folks who say junior level VP is paid 100%, it aint easy jumping when you have a mountain of VP. Unless one is planning to stay in that grade for life no promotion in TCs itself.

Outside you get lowballed with offers majority in VP. Or with bargain that they will fix x% as Base pay which we wont get with TCS. So essentially it leads to being a career VP graveyard.

Honestly way things are, if you have decided to leave TCS. Don't look back just leave.