6 days ago
Tech Mahindra Dispute Fuels Debate Over Medical Leave and Termination
R Bhavana and Tech Mahindra disagree about what happened to her job.
Bhavana said the company treated her unfairly after she took medical leave and cared for her sick daughter.
She protested outside the company’s Hyderabad office and demanded stronger protections for workers.
She also said she received warnings and faced problems with workplace policies.
A social media post said climate activist Ruchith joined her protest.
The post also alleged that police tried to detain Ruchith.
Bhavana said she was terminated and filed a police complaint.
Tech Mahindra said she was not terminated and is still an active employee.
The company said it asked her to return to work and provide medical records after 27 working days of leave.
R Bhavana protested outside Tech Mahindra’s Hyderabad facility over what she described as an unfair termination.
Bhavana said she was pressured to return to work during health problems and while caring for her unwell daughter.
She alleged workplace harassment, unlawful termination, monitoring concerns, transportation issues and inadequate grievance handling.
Tech Mahindra said Bhavana remains an active employee, her July salary was processed, and her separation was never implemented.
The company said Bhavana took 27 working days of leave and was repeatedly asked to report to work with medical documentation.
- Who
- R Bhavana, a software engineer, and Tech Mahindra; a social media post also said climate activist Ruchith joined the protest.
- What
- A dispute over medical leave, alleged workplace treatment and whether Bhavana was terminated.
- Where
- Tech Mahindra’s Hyderabad facility.
- When
- Bhavana joined Tech Mahindra on 26 March 2026; the company issued an “abandonment of services” communication on 22 July, and she raised the alleged termination publicly on 23 July.
- Why
- Bhavana said she was treated unfairly after taking leave for her health and her daughter’s illness; Tech Mahindra said she remained employed and needed to report to work with supporting medical documentation.
Bhavana’s Allegations
Tech Mahindra’s Response
Whether she was terminated
Bhavana’s Allegations
Bhavana alleged that she was terminated unlawfully and in violation of labour laws.
Tech Mahindra’s Response
Tech Mahindra said she remains an active employee and that the separation was never implemented.
Medical leave and attendance
Bhavana’s Allegations
Bhavana said she was repeatedly asked to return to work while dealing with health issues and caring for her unwell daughter.
Tech Mahindra’s Response
The company said she took 27 working days of leave and was repeatedly asked to report to work and provide supporting medical documentation.
Workplace grievances
Bhavana’s Allegations
Bhavana raised concerns about warnings, workplace monitoring, transportation arrangements, pending allowances, notice periods and grievance handling.
Tech Mahindra’s Response
Tech Mahindra said she had access to internal grievance mechanisms and that public allegations did not present the complete sequence of events.
Key facts
- Employee
- R Bhavana, a software engineer
- Company
- Tech Mahindra
- Location
- Hyderabad
- Leave reported by company
- 27 working days: 12 planned and 15 unplanned
- Company communication
- A communication citing “abandonment of services” was issued on 22 July, according to Tech Mahindra
- Company position
- Bhavana remains an active employee, and her July salary was processed normally
- Complaint
- Bhavana allegedly filed a police complaint concerning workplace harassment and unlawful termination
Sources
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