India Inc wants to tech all its employees to the future
Multinational FMCG major, Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) has several capability and people initiatives to meet its growth targets.
December 26
India's GCCs go on leadership hunt
Global capability centres in India are seeing a significant rise in senior leadership hiring. These centres are evolving from back-office operations to strategic hubs. Companies are shifting more global mandates to India, driving demand for leaders in product, engineering, data, and AI. This trend is expected to continue, with projections indicating substantial growth in leadership roles through 2026.
December 26
Multigenerational Mandate: Leading when Gen Z redefines the rules
Today's workplaces host four generations. Generation Z's arrival demands a workplace reset. Leaders must embrace authenticity, visible impact, wellbeing, digital fluency, and skill-based careers. HR and managers need to design fluid pathways, continuous dialogue, flexible policies, inclusive mentorship, and demonstrate DE&I commitment. This modernizes the ecosystem for all employees.
December 25
AI avatars enter job interviews as candidate, recruiter
Two unsettling Reddit accounts describe interviews where neither side realised they were speaking to a machine. Perfect answers, repeated phrasing and lifeless precision exposed the truth.
December 24
Coca-Cola India's bottling arm, HCCB to lay off about 300 staffers
Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, HCCB, is cutting around 300 jobs. This move aims to boost profits and streamline operations under new leadership. The company stated the downsizing is minor and will not disrupt operations. HCCB reported a significant profit decline in FY25. Unseasonal rains also impacted demand for soft drinks.
December 24
The hidden curriculum of work
An analysis has uncovered a fascinating trend at 6 PM within Indian companies: employees fall into two camps—those who are eager to disconnect and those hesitant, worried about their image.
December 24
Telefonica to shed around 5,500 jobs in Spain
Telefonica will cut up to 5,500 jobs in Spain under a voluntary departure plan agreed with trade unions last week, the debt-laden telecoms firm said in a statement on Monday. "An agreement was reached with the trade unions... concerning the implementation of a voluntary departure plan for approximately 5,500 workers," Telefonica said in a statement released via the stock market regulator.
December 23
Harness plans to more than double workforce in India to over 1,000 in 3 years
The company at present employs around 480 people in India across research and development, operations, and go-to-market functions.
December 23
Trump's anti-corporate DEI campaign faces high legal hurdles
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under new Chair Andrea Lucas is making a sharp pivot towards what she calls "a more conservative view of civil rights", like prioritizing cases of discrimination against white men.
December 23
Five interview rounds wasted: Job candidate rejected for asking about salary range. ‘Our priorities don’t align’
A recent Reddit post has reignited debate over salary transparency in hiring after a candidate was rejected at the final stage of interviews for asking about pay. The candidate, who completed five rounds over six weeks for a mid-level operations role, said salary was never discussed until the last interview. When he inquired about compensation, the company reportedly rejected him, citing misaligned priorities.
December 22
Work, work, work in the age of AI: Rethinking work hours as performance metric
While leaders advocate for longer work hours, young professionals are prioritizing meaningful work and work-life balance. With AI's promise to reduce workloads, a cultural shift towards valuing outcomes over hours is crucial for a sustainable future of work.
December 22
Amid rising legal risks, recruiting independent directors is getting tougher for India Inc
India Inc faces a big challenge in hiring independent directors due to a limited talent pool, significant pay disparities, and increasing legal and reputational risks. Compensation for these roles varies widely, from Rs 12 lakh to over Rs 2.50 crore annually, with sitting fees ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh per meeting.
December 22
Disability inclusion: India Inc’s rhetoric vs reality
This year's observance of World Disability Day shines a spotlight on Corporate India's performance regarding disability inclusion. The stark contrast between the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the persistently low employment opportunities for disabled individuals highlights a troubling disparity.
December 21
Hidden fragility of ‘friendly’ workplaces: Why Indian leaders must rebuild the feedback contract
In the landscape of Indian corporations, a culture of warmth sometimes clouds the need for candid feedback. This hesitance stifles growth, as employees are deterred from soliciting honest evaluations due to fears of judgment. Additionally, leaders often sidestep tough discussions. To truly thrive, organizations should weave feedback into their daily operations, enhancing both performance and employee morale.
December 21
A slice of PIE | Recipe for transformation
Effective learning is anchored on three foundational elements. First, purpose ignites motivation by linking knowledge to individual aspirations. Next, involvement encourages active engagement, cultivating a sense of ownership and enriching comprehension. Lastly, emotion weaves feelings into the learning process, leading to unforgettable memories. This PIE framework revolutionizes skill acquisition and ensures knowledge remains impactful.
December 20
Head of US workplace rights agency urges white men to report discrimination
"Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex? You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws," U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Chair Andrea Lucas, a vocal critic of DEI, wrote on X Wednesday evening. The post urged eligible workers to reach out to the agency "as soon as possible" and referred users to the agency's fact sheet on "DEI-related discrimination" for more information.
December 19
India’s manufacturing ambitions trigger scramble for leadership talent
India seeks leaders for its manufacturing growth. Companies are hiring experts in engineering, electronics, and semiconductors. Demand is high for digital transformation and sustainability skills. Multinationals and domestic firms are recruiting, alongside expats for high-tech roles. Salaries are competitive. This hiring surge supports India's goal to expand markets and reduce global dependencies.
December 19
Experts urge corporations to rethink employees’ well-being at health summit in Hyderabad
Addressing a session at the Gut & Metabolic Summit 2025 at AIG Hospitals in Gachibowli, Patnaik said empathy is often missing at workplaces, even when employees fall ill.
December 19
Andhra Pradesh govt further relaxes childcare leave norms for employees
The childcare leave facility was first introduced in 2016, during the previous TDP regime, permitting employees to avail themselves of two months leave to take care of minor children for rearing or any other needs during their entire service period. In 2022, the YSRCP govt increased the benefit from two months to six months.
December 17
AI agents as teammates, not replacements: Why the future of work will see more jobs, not less
The landscape of work is rapidly evolving thanks to AI agents. This transformation can be seen as a journey through four distinct phases: initial shock, a period of recalibration, a phase of expansion, and finally, the synergistic blend of human skills with AI capabilities.
December 16
Flashback 2025: Workforce policies and labour reforms that reshaped EMEA
As 2025 draws to a close, workforce policies across EMEA shifted from intent to execution. Governments prioritised enforcement, worker protection and transparency, pushing labour reform into daily HR operations. From digital compliance and localisation in the Gulf to pay transparency and worker classification in Europe, this flashback examines the reforms that reshaped workforce management in 2025 and set expectations for 2026.
December 26
The world of work in 2026: Five trends redefining how and where employees work
Flexible workspaces are set to dominate workplace strategies in 2026 as enterprises seek agility and lower risk. The Instant Group’s data shows 68% of large organisations already operating flexible or hybrid models, with rising demand in suburban locations, stronger focus on wellbeing, growing use of AI copilots and sustainability shifting from a preference to a requirement.
December 25
Finding joy at work in December: The quiet magic of the Christmas season
From lighter workloads to stronger team bonding, December reshapes everyday work experiences. Christmas celebrations and year-end pauses create space for gratitude, reflection and renewed motivation, making December a month employees look forward to.
December 24
Readers’ choice: The top 15 workplace reads that caught attention in 2025
With 2025 coming to its end, the stories that drew the most attention this year focused on the everyday realities of work: loneliness behind busy schedules, burnout disguised as productivity, changing skills, collaboration gaps and the search for belonging. Curated from readers’ top choices, this list captures the themes that mattered most and offers a clear lens into what’s shaping workplaces as 2026 approaches.
December 23
The workplace reset: Trends that redefined work in 2025
As organisations move towards 2026, the workplace shifts of 2025 offer clear signals. From slower career ambition and digital fatigue to new forms of engagement and leadership scrutiny, these trends reveal how employees quietly reshaped work, and what HR leaders need to carry forward.
December 22
AI, automation & HRtech: What to expect at the Future Forward Summit in Dubai
As AI adoption accelerates across the Middle East, HR leaders are rethinking workforce models, leadership capability and operating structures. The Economic Times Future Forward Middle East 2026 Summit will spotlight how technology is reshaping people's strategy, talent and the future of work.
December 19
The importance of evaluating learning and development interventions
Organisations invest heavily in learning and development, but often fail to evaluate whether those programmes deliver real impact. This article explains why effective evaluation matters, why ‘happy sheets’ fall short, and how structured approaches can help organisations improve accountability, close skills gaps, and maximise the value of L&D investments.
December 18
The rise of ‘snail girl’ trend: How it reflects a generational reset at work
Popularised on TikTok, the ‘snail girl’ trend reflects a deeper rethink of ambition among young workers, where slower, intentional career paths replace burnout-driven success. The movement points to a future of work where balance is no longer optional, but expected.
December 17
The human edge: Top 10 job roles least at risk from AI automation
As AI reshapes work and fuels job insecurity, a new Ubie Health report highlights 10 roles least at risk from automation, led by lawyers, healthcare managers and HR leaders. The study shows ten jobs anchored in human judgement, empathy and interaction remain most resilient in an AI-driven workplace.
December 16
Burnout after stagnancy: When repetition wears people down — and what to do about it
Burnout doesn’t only arise from overload; it often grows quietly out of stagnancy. In the Middle East and globally, repetitive tasks, limited autonomy and predictable work cycles are leaving employees mentally fatigued and detached. Drawing on regional research and global evidence, we examine how monotony-driven burnout unfolds, why it’s frequently overlooked, and what leaders can do to redesign roles, restore variety and rebuild meaning.
December 15
Impetus Technologies Shines at Rank 55 Among India’s Best Companies to Work for 2025 by Great Place To Work® India
Business Wire India
Impetus Technologies, a global technology solutions provider, has once again been recognized among India’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 by Great Place To Work® India, securing the 55th position on this prestigious list. This marks the 11th time the company has earned this recognition—reinforcing its consistent commitment to building a workplace where trust, innovation, and employee well-being thrive.
In this year for India, based on a rigorous evaluation methodology, 100 organizations among India’s Best Companies To Work For 2025 have been recognized. These organizations, among other practices, particularly excel both in people practices that they have crafted for their employees and in proactively acting on feedback to create a High Trust Culture. The report and the complete list (in alphabetical order) India’s Best Companies To Work For 2025 can be viewed on company's website.
“This achievement is a celebration of our people and the culture we’ve created together,” said Sanjeev Agrawal, CHRO, Impetus Technologies. “Climbing to rank 55 among India’s best workplaces is both humbling and motivating. It drives us to continue fostering an environment where individuals feel valued, empowered, and inspired to grow.”
With this milestone, Impetus reaffirms its dedication to creating exceptional employee experiences and setting benchmarks for workplace culture in the technology industry.
“As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Our recognition is the most coveted and respected in the world for elevating employer brands. In partnership with The Economic Times, we are proud to recognize the Top 100 organizations as India’s Best Companies To Work For 2025,” said Balbir Singh, CEO, Great Place To Work® India.
“I would like to congratulate Impetus Technologies for accomplishing this milestone. Getting recognized among “India’s Best Companies To Work For 2025” is a testament to what’s possible when trust is nurtured, employees feel heard, and everyone feels they belong. We invite every leader to join us on this journey of becoming great,” added Balbir Singh.
June 26
Darwinbox Completes 3rd ESOP Buyback in 4 Years, Reinforcing Commitment to Share Success with Employees
Business Wire India
This marks Darwinbox’s third buyback in just four years, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to rewarding the people behind its growth and building shared success as it scales globally.
“At Darwinbox, we’ve always believed that those who help build value should share in it. Even as we invest deeply in innovation and global growth, we remain equally committed to creating meaningful outcomes for our people. This buyback, like the ones before, reflects our belief in sharing success with our people and building a culture of ownership,” said Jayant Paleti, Co-founder, Darwinbox.
“Talent has always been at the heart of what we do at Darwinbox, and we’ve been intentional about ensuring they grow with the company—not just in impact, but also in wealth creation. Some of the best minds from the industry have joined us to help shape the future of work. As we double down on R&D to power an AI-first world, we’re excited to welcome great talent on this journey,” said Chaitanya Peddi, Co-founder at Darwinbox.
In March 2025, Darwinbox added global private equity giants Partners Group and KKR to its cap table through a $140 million deal—further strengthening its position to lead on two critical fronts: deep technology innovation and global market expansion.
That momentum is evident in a series of breakthrough AI product launches. Darwinbox recently became the first-ever HCM platform globally to launch an MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server, enabling any compatible AI agent to interact securely with HR data and workflows on the platform. The company’s GenAI engine, Darwinbox Sense, now delivers over 40+ embedded AI capabilities, driving smarter decisions and elevated experiences. Darwinbox also recently rolled out a multi-country payroll solution across 10 new geographies within the last year, solidifying its capability to serve complex global organizations.
Darwinbox powers modern HR technology experiences for over 4 million employees across 1000+ enterprises, from large conglomerates to high-growth tech companies. Brands like Starbucks, McDonald’s, AXA, Cigna, WeWork, Airtel, and Vedanta trust the platform to power their people strategies at scale.
The trust of its customers is paralleled by analyst recognition. Darwinbox has been named a Customers’ Choice on Gartner Peer Insights for four years in a row. It is also the youngest and only Asian company to be recognized as a Challenger in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites for enterprises with over 1,000 employees, validating its growing global influence in a space long dominated by legacy players.
June 24
Spark Capital PWM Establishes Strategic Presence in Dubai International Financial Centre to Serve Global Investors
Business Wire India
Spark Capital Private Wealth Management (Spark Capital PWM), today announced the launch of its operations in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region through Spark Global PWM Private Limited.
Spark Global PWM Private Limited, a CAT4 firm regulated by Dubai Financial Services Authority, the independent regulator for business conducted from or within Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), operates as a subsidiary of Spark Capital's Private Wealth Management business and the new office will serve as a hub for its Middle East operations.
This strategic expansion will enable global investors to access diverse markets with ease while offering its clients comprehensive portfolio diversification opportunities. The move reinforces Spark Capital's commitment to delivering sophisticated, bespoke wealth management solutions on an international scale.
Spark Capital PWM has significantly focused on growth & expansion in recent years. Its AUM & AUA has grown nearly 10x—from INR ~3,000 crores (~360.24 million USD) in April 2023 to INR ~30,000 crores (~3.56 billion USD) in May 2025. The firm has also scaled its team from 60 to over 400 professionals, including 130+ seasoned relationship managers, and established a pan-India presence across 12 cities.
Commenting on the expansion, Arpita Vinay, Senior Managing Director & Co-CEO, Spark Capital Private Wealth Management Private Limited, said, "The establishment of our DIFC office represents a significant milestone in Spark Capital PWM's global growth strategy. Dubai's strategic location and robust financial infrastructure provide an ideal platform to connect investors across regions with diverse investment opportunities. This expansion allows us to enhance our service offerings to international clients while creating new avenues for wealth creation and preservation."
Neeraj Ojha, Senior Executive Officer, Spark Global PWM Private Limited, added, "DIFC offers an exceptional ecosystem for wealth management firms, with its world-class regulatory framework and access to a wide network of financial institutions. Through our presence here, we aim to provide professional clients in the Middle East with comprehensive wealth solutions backed by Spark Capital's expertise and innovation in investment management."
DIFC is a strategic gateway to financial institutions and multinational firms in the region. DIFC continues to experience exponential growth in the wealth and asset management sector with 420 wealth and asset management firms and over 75 pure play hedge funds, 48 of which are 'billion-dollar club' organisations, that are capitalising on regional opportunities.
Spark Global PWM Private Limited's DIFC office will be staffed by a team of experienced wealth management professionals with extensive knowledge of global markets and a proven track record of delivering exceptional client outcomes. These professionals will leverage the firm's comprehensive research capabilities, innovative investment strategies, and established track record in wealth management to provide tailored solutions to clients in the region. This approach underscores Spark Capital's dedication to client-centric service while strengthening its position as a trusted wealth management partner globally.
June 2
Sonny’s Enterprises Expands Global Footprint with Inauguration of GCC Office in India
Business Wire India
Sonny's Enterprises, (“Sonny's”) the largest manufacturer of conveyorized car wash equipment, parts, and supplies globally, is proud to announce the grand opening and inauguration of its new Global Capability Center (GCC) in Pune, India. This strategic expansion reinforces Sonny’s technology investment and continued commitment to providing car wash operators with best-in-class resources.
The new GCC in Pune will serve as a hub for technological innovation. A key initiative is continuing the rapid development of Sonny’s proprietary Quivio ecosystem, an integrated software and hardware technology suite purpose-built for car wash operators to drive revenue and streamline operations.
The office currently has 25 full-time employees and is poised to reach 100 by the end of the year, with additional capacity and growth goals. It is set to play a pivotal role in scaling the company's capabilities across engineering, data science, and customer operations.
“Our Pune GCC marks a significant milestone in Sonny’s global growth strategy,” said Curt Hutchins, CEO of Sonny’s. “India offers exceptional talent and a thriving technology infrastructure. This expansion will accelerate our innovation pipeline and strengthen the value we deliver to customers worldwide.”
The Pune GCC will integrate closely with Sonny’s existing teams across North America, driving collaboration across time zones and cultures. With a strong focus on employee development, the center aims to foster a high-performance, inclusive workplace aligned with Sonny’s core values.
Eashwer Srinivasan, Chief Technology Officer, added, “This center reflects our commitment to building a scalable, resilient technology organization. Pune’s rich pool of skilled professionals will help us advance Quivio and deliver next-generation solutions that empower car wash operators globally.” The Pune office launch comes amid strong technology momentum for Sonny’s, as the company continues to expand its comprehensive solution set for car wash operators.
Tim Elhefnawy, EVP of Business and Digital Transformation, commented on the operational impact of the new center: “The GCC in Pune is a strategic enabler of our enterprise-wide transformation. It enhances our ability to scale with speed, precision, and agility—unlocking new value while supporting our broader mission of continuous improvement.”
Hutchins, Srinivasan, and Elhefnawy attended the inauguration ceremony on May 21, 2025.
June 2
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