A TCS employee's monthly salary reportedly fell from Rs 25,000 to Rs 22,800 over 5.5 years. The individual admitted to neglecting upskilling, which led to poor performance reviews and a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
For most people, staying with one company for over five years is a sign of stability. But for one Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee, loyalty has come at a painful price, his monthly salary has actually gone down.
In a viral Reddit post, the Java developer shared that he joined TCS in 2020 earning Rs 25,000 a month. In 2026, after five-and-a-half years with the company, his in-hand pay stands at just Rs 22,800.
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"I Didn't Focus on My IT Career"
The employee, a graduate from a tier-3 college, admitted that his biggest mistake was not investing in technical growth early on. Instead of upskilling in Java and backend development, he spent his initial years preparing for government exams. This divided focus resulted in poor appraisals, mostly C and D performance bands, across multiple cycles.
"I now realise how costly those early years were," he wrote.
From Appraisal Freeze to PIP
By July 2025, his situation worsened. He was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), one of the most stressful phases for any IT professional.
Although he managed to switch to a new project and successfully completed the PIP period without losing his job, the damage had already been done. His appraisal process was frozen, cutting off any scope for meaningful salary hikes.
Job Offers That Vanish at the Last Moment
In January 2026, the employee finally upskilled as a Java backend developer, hoping for a fresh start. But another shock awaited him.
He claimed that HR teams from other companies began withdrawing job offers after seeing his salary slips during background checks. Recruiters reportedly questioned why someone with over five years of experience was earning under Rs 23,000 a month.
"It's like my salary has become a red flag," he said.
The Internet Reacts: Blame, Sympathy and Hard Truths
The Reddit community responded with a mix of empathy and blunt advice.
Some suggested joining startups where skills matter more than past pay. Others recommended pursuing an MBA to move into management roles and escape the technical salary trap altogether.
A common theme emerged: staying too long in one company without upgrading skills can permanently damage earning potential.
