TCS Staffer Sleeps Outside Pune Office Over Withheld Salary, Company Issues Statement
A viral photograph shows Sourabh More lying on a pavement outside TCS’s Sahyadri Park premises in Hinjewadi, Pune.
An image of a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee sleeping on the pavement outside the company’s Pune campus has gone viral, drawing widespread criticism and raising concerns over employee treatment within the IT sector.
The employee, identified as Sourabh More, alleged that he was forced to live on the streets after his salary was withheld, despite several efforts to resolve the matter through the company’s Human Resources department.
The viral image, showing More lying on a footpath outside TCS’s Sahyadri Park facility, was first shared by the Forum of IT Employees (FITE) on the social media platform X on Sunday.
A handwritten note placed next to him read: “I have informed HR that I do not have any money and will be compelled to sleep and live outside TCS on the pavement.”
As per a summary posted by FITE, More reported back to work at the Pune campus on July 29, only to discover that his employee ID was inactive and his salary remained unpaid. He raised the issue with the HR team on July 30, but the matter was allegedly not addressed. The image of him sleeping outside the campus quickly gained attention online, leading to a wave of public outrage against the IT major.
FITE Maharashtra, which represents professionals from the IT, BPO, KPO, and telecom industries, extended its support to More and stated: “We stand in support of the TCS employee protesting outside their Pune campus regarding his pending salary. His bravery in voicing out under such difficult conditions is appreciable. However, issues like salary delays and employment matters should also be formally taken up with the Labour Department. Protests are visually powerful, but combining them with legal complaints strengthens the case and forces responsibility.”
In reaction, TCS released an official statement clarifying that the situation arose due to the employee’s “unauthorised absence.”
“Following the standard procedure, salary processing was paused during this time. The employee has now reported back and has asked for reinstatement. We have currently provided him accommodation and are assisting him to resolve his situation in a fair and constructive manner,” the company said.
TCS also mentioned that efforts are ongoing to resolve the issue and temporary lodging has been arranged for the employee as discussions continue.
