India’s 90-day notice period

India’s 90-day notice period in many corporate jobs—especially in IT and tech sectors—is rooted in a mix of industry practices, talent dynamics, and risk management. Here’s why it exists (and why it sticks):

🧠 1. Knowledge Transfer & Handover

Indian companies often rely on individual employees managing core modules, legacy systems, or client accounts. 🔁 A longer notice period gives time for:

• Smooth handovers
• Training replacements
• Minimizing project disruption

👥 2. High Attrition Rates

Sectors like IT and BPO face frequent job switches. 📈 To cope, companies use longer notice periods to:

• Retain staff longer
• Buy time to backfill positions
• Prevent sudden project jeopardy

⏳ 3. Buffer Against Poaching

In hot talent markets (think tech, analytics, fintech), top talent is poached constantly. ⏱️ A 90-day window helps:

• Counter-offers to be made
• Delay joining competitors
• Reduce knowledge leakage

💸 4. Billing in Service-Based Firms

For firms like Infosys, TCS, etc., employees are "billed" to clients. 💼 Losing an employee without a replacement = revenue loss. Longer notice = safer transitions and retained billability.

🔐 5. Employer Risk Management

Hiring replacements in India often takes time due to:

• Background checks
• Bench strength issues
• Skill mismatches

😤 Why Employees Dislike It

• 90 days feels like a bonded sentence after resignation
• Often leads to mental burnout
• Some companies enforce non-negotiable full notice with no buyout

🛠️ The Shift Is Coming…

🚨 Many startups, MNCs, and product-based companies now offer:

• 30- or 60-day notice
• Buyout options
• Negotiated exits

📣 Employees today demand flexibility, and in a talent-first market, companies are starting to listen.

Bottom Line: 90-day notice periods were created for stability. But in a fast-moving world, they can slow down careers. It’s time we moved from retention through rules to retention through respect.

#EmployeeVsHR #CorporateIndia #NoticePeriod #LinkedInInsights #WorkplaceTruths #TalentRetention