Apr 28, 2010 11:44 PM
71557 Views
Guys, wanted to share some of my experiences in TCS in my journey with TATA from the past 3+ years. Please keep these points in mind before joining TCS as everyone targets only about onsite factor and nothing else. I have finished my ILP(training) in Coimbatore and got my base branch as Chennai. Was given a "D" rating (means 2 on a scale of 5) in my first year as a fresher. And mind this point this is given not because I dont have talent but because I had few disputes(difference of opinion) with my lead. And I tried in all the ways for getting my band changed from "D". I have got the support and encouragement from my team members as every knows what I am capable of. But in vain, that cunning person has even put in a negative feedback against me to his supervisor even. Since I am a fresher and could not have much contacts in the project had to just take up what was given and move away to a different project.
But guys the very bad thing in TCS is once you have got that rating, the company reminds you of it till the end of your life in TCS. Though you want to erase out all those memories and start working fresh it will not happen. Cases that you notice -- collective opinion even from my friends who were given a "D"
1) After getting released from the current project where you get a "D" rating, in the next project that you go they(PL/PM) will be asking about your previous rating just to assess you of what you are capable of. If you say you have got a "D" then you are for sure "gone with the wind" case. People would put you under microscope for very casual things like taking leaves or what soever and infer that its because of these irresponsible things(they feel so, even if you have taken a sick leave on emergency conditions) might be he got a "D". And none actually looks at your talent or your hard work if they come to know you have been a 2 rater prior. So dont reveal this at any cost, not even to your supervisor. Let them see what you are now and not what you have got then.
2) Your promotion will be delayed by one year if you have got a "D" rating in any of your previous years. In the first place getting promotion itself is becoming very difficult in this organisation and on top of that if you are told that you still have to wait one more year for the promotion process to be initiated compared to your fellow mates who joined TCS at the same time, its like a dead person being alive.
3) And the most idiotic part is the company cuts down (removes) people based on their performance. If you have got two times a "D" rating then you are asked to quit TCS or you will be put under performance vigilance and crap.. So every year at the rating time one who has got a "D" (2 rating) prior, will certainly be under pressure as if he gets a 2 the next time then there is no point he being in TCS. This is really disgusting guys.
I have requested for a transfer from Chennai to Hyderabad several times but in vain, the HR will not give you why because there are certain policies in TCS that all freshers are required to complete 2 years atleast in the deputed branch once after the training before asking or applying for a transfer to your native location. One of my friends who is a girl got married 8 months after she got into TCS and she is struggling like hell to get transferred to the location where her husband stays. It has taken approx a year for her getting transferred.
If you say you are looking for a transfer since your father/mother is seriously ill and they need your support it would be like a woven story for them. They would tell, there are several people who say like this. You better get your family here only rather than you going on a transfer.
4) Remember "D" rating has become quite common in TCS and do not ever dare to think that I am not the one who deserves this. This can be given to anyone with whom the supervisor doesnt have good rapport, if you have quarreled with your supervisor in the past for any reason, if you have applied for a transfer to a different location, if you have asked for a release from the project, or some crap which your supervisor doesnt like it then be cautious - you will fall under the list of people who are prone to get 2 rating
And the most important thing people at onsite are more prone to get this "D" rating compared to offshore guys.
Finally, what I want to conclude is don't just join TCS for the sake of moving onsite. TCS is not a travel agency to offer onsite as and when required. And sometimes it so happens that you will given only a short time onsite for 3 months as in my case, where you cant earn much and you have to stay as a dead person throughout your life in TCS if you have got a 2 anytime. Just keep in mind about the below point:
--> There is a stringent process called "CURVE FITTING" which is being followed in TCS. As per that every project lead has to determine his team members performance or competencies or skills range from top to bottom. It is mandatory to place people under the bottom of the curve to top of the curve to complete the curve fitting. If every one in the team performs at the same level and though every one is equally capable of, still you have to decide among them or rate them accordingly from 2 to 5. So here comes the difference. Whom to give 5 and whom to give 2. Anyone who has vengeance with his supervisor or who will be getting released from the project or applied for a transfer will get 2 and who has very good rapport with the PL gets 5. This is what is happening.
Thank god I have got a 3 this time. So I am on the safer end this year. Have been trying seriously for other good opportunities outside..
Just wanted to share these points as none who has been suffering from such problems ever puts down anything as such for the others to know.
