A viral photo shows Saurabh More, a Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee, resting on the pavement outside the company’s Sahyadri Park office in Pune. With a bag serving as a pillow and a handwritten note next to him, he expressed that he had no choice but to sleep on the footpath due to unpaid wages.

Originally shared by the Instagram account beingpunekarofficial on August 2, the image has since attracted over 15,000 reactions. It has sparked intense discussions on social media regarding employee treatment, outstanding payments, and internal company procedures.

Details from the TCS employee’s letter
In the handwritten note placed beside him, More stated, “I reported back to TCS Sahyadri Park Pune Office on July 29, yet my ID remains inactive on Ultimatix and TCS systems, and I have not received my salary, which was assured during the meeting on July 30, 2025.”

He mentioned that HR had told him he would receive payment the next day, which did not occur. “I informed HR that I lack funds and would be compelled to sleep and live outside TCS on the footpath,” he wrote. “HR has not replied to that and has remained silent. Therefore, I have been living on the footpath since July 29 in front of TCS.”

The letter indicates that he returned from a brief leave, but his access to internal systems was still blocked, and his salary was not released, leaving him in a difficult situation.

TCS’s response
TCS responded to the situation in a statement provided to various media outlets. The company stated, “This is a case of unauthorized absence where the employee has been away from the office. Following standard procedure, payroll was suspended during this time.”

They added that More has now resumed work and requested reinstatement. “We have currently arranged accommodation for him and are working to assist him in resolving the issue in a fair and constructive manner.” The company confirmed that he is no longer residing outside the office.

Employee forum expresses support
The Forum for IT Employees (FITE) has publicly backed More’s protest, stating that his actions have brought attention to a significant issue.

In their official statement, FITE remarked, “We stand in solidarity with the TCS employee demonstrating outside their Pune office regarding his overdue salary. His bravery to speak out in such challenging circumstances is admirable.”

Nonetheless, the forum also urged for formal reporting in addition to the protest.

“Salary delays and employment-related problems should also be officially reported to the Labour Office. While protesting sends a powerful visual message, pairing it with a legal complaint enhances the struggle and demands accountability.”

FITE concluded its statement by reminding technology workers that their rights are safeguarded under Indian labour laws.

Incident goes viral on social media
The event has sparked a surge of online discussions. Some users criticized TCS, claiming it has forsaken its long-standing values. “Very unfortunate. TCS seems to have abandoned the core principles that the Tata Group once upheld,” one user commented.

Another user highlighted procedural and timing issues, stating, “Was the employee on Loss of Pay and only reported back to work after the payroll cutoff? This is quite standard. Salaries are processed in batches, not individually…”

Others adopted a more severe tone. “Since Ratan Tata, the TCS management has lost its way. No ethics…” “Shameful,” another user remarked.

The conversation also raised broader concerns regarding automation. “More tech layoffs will persist as AI advances and is embraced by businesses, displacing human workers.”

What is occurring at TCS: Restructuring and layoffs
The protest is part of a larger overhaul at India’s largest IT services company. TCS has recently confirmed plans to eliminate approximately 12,000 jobs — about 2 percent of its global workforce — as part of a shift towards an AI-centric strategy.

The company has also enforced a stricter policy on benching, capping non-billable time at 35 days per year and mandating that all employees log a minimum of 225 billable days each year.

The internal changes have raised increasing worries among employees regarding job security, communication, and the management of grievances.

Although the situation with More may see some resolution, the larger discussion is still ongoing. His protest has resonated with workers in the tech industry, where anxiety is on the rise. Whether this issue stems from a procedural error or a more significant management shortcoming, the reaction indicates that employees are starting to voice their concerns more openly and visibly when systems fail.

The internal changes have raised increasing worries among employees regarding job security, communication, and the management of grievances.

Although the situation with More may see some resolution, the larger discussion is still ongoing. His protest has resonated with workers in the tech industry, where anxiety is on the rise. Whether this issue stems from a procedural error or a more significant management shortcoming, the reaction indicates that employees are starting to voice their concerns more openly and visibly when systems fail.