HR denies WFH request to techie facing knee surgery, sparks debate among netizens on its legality
After undergoing knee surgery, an employee seeks understanding from their employer concerning the denial of temporary work from home. Despite other coworkers successfully utilizing Azure Virtual Desktop for remote work, HR claims there are no provisions for such arrangements. The employee is willing to handle expenses and submit medical paperwork during recovery but raises questions about legal rights and potential extensions of notice periods under Indian law.
August 15
Gen Z employees seeking more say in how they work, making companies rethink strategy
Gen Z employees now expect workplace freedom and greater career control. Companies are adapting by offering flexible work and internal mobility options. Younger workers prioritise work-life balance over formal leadership titles. Organisations are focusing on enabling individual capabilities and clear growth paths.
August 15
Oracle layoffs August 2026: ‘6am layoff email’ may hit inboxes next month on this date as managers asked for names, after 10,000+ workers were cut in March
Oracle layoffs 2026: Oracle employees could face another layoff wave on September 1, with reports suggesting 6am job-cut emails may arrive as managers prepare lists of affected workers. Managers have been asked to draw up lists of employees whose roles are being eliminated. Oracle already cut 21,000 jobs in March this year.
August 15
Lebanon's creative talent suffers as Iran war squeezes Gulf economies
Uncertainty linked to the conflict has prompted Gulf-based clients to postpone projects, reduce budgets and slow payments, leading to layoffs and income declines, Lebanese professionals in advertising, branding and communications told Reuters.
August 14
Swedish union ends nearly three-year Tesla strike
Sweden’s IF Metall union will end its strike against Tesla on August 19 after saying the automaker bought out all striking union members.
August 14
Do the right thing even when no one is watching: Air India CEO tells staff
Do the right thing even when no one is watching, and the consequences of doing the wrong thing will only get higher and higher, Air India chief Campbell Wilson told staff on Thursday, highlighting instances of misuse of employee travel privileges, among other issues.
August 14
Samsung aims to train 20,000 youths in AI in India
Samsung Electronics plans to train 20,000 young people in artificial intelligence across 10 Indian states under its Samsung Innovation Campus initiative.
August 14
India's GCC sector faces up to 19.3% value risk from skill gaps by 2030: PwC India-FICCI study
Skill and talent gaps in India's global capability centre (GCC) sector could put up to 19.3 per cent of the sector's future value at risk by 2030, even as GCCs prepare for a major shift towards artificial intelligence (AI)-led work, according to a PwC India-FICCI study.
August 13
10 jobs hardest for AI to replace, 2nd on list pays you over $200,000
Ever since the emergence of Artificial intelligence, it has started transforming workplaces rapidly. Not just professional work, AI has even taken up day-to-day tasks. From tasks like writing and customer service to data analysis and software creation, AI tools are now handling roles that once needed humans.
August 13
Women pilots' share in India to increase to 25%: Civil Aviation Minister
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday said the government is working to increase women's participation across India's aviation workforce to 25 per cent, building on the country's significantly higher representation of women pilots compared to the global average.
August 11
NTPC Kahalgaon, CIPET join hands for skill training
NTPC Kahalgaon has tied up with the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET) to provide job-oriented vocational and skill development training to unemployed youths and project-affected families in Bhagalpur district.
August 11
Gen Z's new outlook to career ladder: Leaders rethink what growth really means in the AI era
According to Glassdoor's 2025 Workplace Trends Report, nearly seven in 10 Gen Z professionals said they would not pursue management roles unless accompanied by compelling incentives. Having examined Gen Z's changing relationship with hustle culture, organisational loyalty, workplace flexibility and compensation in the previous three stories, this fourth piece by ETHRWorld explores another and perhaps one of the biggest shifts – transformation of the corporate career ladder into a more fluid, multidimensional growth journey.
August 9
Envalior sets up EV skilling centre in Pune to train 250 students annually
The NSDC-certified programmes under the company's CSR initiative will equip ITI and Polytechnic students with hands-on skills in EV servicing, diagnostics and advanced systems.
August 7
Where will the most job losses occur in years to come? Here's what Nandan Nilekani thinks
Nandan Nilekani says large corporations may shed more jobs due to automation, while small enterprises will create new employment. India's future job growth will stem from millions of small businesses and entrepreneurs, he says.
August 7
Fired during paternity leave, ex-employee wins nearly Rs 19 crore from Goldman Sachs after tribunal finds he was unfairly treated for caring for his newborn
A former Goldman Sachs manager received nearly £1.5 million after an employment tribunal ruling. The tribunal found his dismissal was unfairly linked to his parental leave. This discrimination had an insidious effect on the former employee's well-being. Goldman Sachs disputes the decision, stating it supports parental leave for all genders. The case highlights stigma damages and low shared parental leave uptake in the UK.
August 6
Hyundai Motor India trains nearly 50,000 people in FY26 as it ramps up leadership, future skills investment
The company's learning agenda focused on two broad capability clusters: human-centric leadership skills and future-ready capabilities as the industry undergoes rapid changes driven by technology, shifting customer expectations and new workforce demands.
August 5
Managing people and AI agents together: A new leadership mandate
The emerging reality is clear: AI will reshape leadership, shifting the focus to managing human and machine capabilities in tandem while unlocking meaningful organisational capacity.
August 5
At 20, IndiGo's biggest competitive advantage isn't its fleet. It's people
As IndiGo marks 20 years of operations, the airline's people strategy has emerged as a key driver of its growth story. In this exclusive interaction, KS Bakshi, Group Head of Human Resources, IndiGo and Summi Sharma, Senior Vice President - ifly and Customer Experience, IndiGo, explain how "Girl Power" has evolved into an operating philosophy.
August 5
The AI layoffs are backfiring: Why companies are rehiring employees they let go
Companies are rehiring workers after AI failed to fully replace human expertise. Ford and Klarna found AI could not detect all defects or maintain service quality. Many business leaders now regret AI-related job cuts and plan to reskill employees. This corporate rethink suggests AI works best as a productivity tool. Experts predict a continued reversal of AI-driven layoffs as costs mount.
August 4
In electronics factories across India, women are taking the floor
Foxconn’s Bengaluru campus employs around 26,000 people, including 21,780 women, nearly 16,500 of them contract workers. The company recently opened women’s hostels with capacity for 30,000 employees, highlighting how accommodation, transport and safety have become as critical as production lines in scaling manufacturing. Foxconn’s Tamil Nadu operations employ about 41,000 people.
August 3
People over profit: How businesses thrive when they emphasise the right things
Across two closed-door roundtables in Singapore and Malaysia, business and HR leaders explored how organisations can redesign work around humans and AI — without losing the judgement, experience and accountability that make people indispensable.
August 17
Re-engaging employees who have lost their spark
When a high-performing employee suddenly loses their spark, the first response should be curiosity rather than criticism. The article examines how managers can understand the reasons behind disengagement and use support, flexibility, recognition and career opportunities to help employees reconnect with their work.
August 14
The invisible workforce: What the ILO's platform work convention means for the future of gig work
We explore why the platform economy has outpaced labour law, what Convention No 193 of the ILO changes, and why HR leaders should pay close attention as algorithmic management, employment classification and worker protections enter a new phase.
August 12
Have employee appreciation platforms lost their impact?
As digital recognition platforms become a staple of the modern workplace, this article examines whether frequent badges, points and automated appreciation are driving engagement or simply creating notification fatigue.
August 11
Protected on paper, vulnerable in practice: Why maternity leave remains a retention challenge across EMEA
Across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, maternity protections have expanded through stronger legislation, longer leave entitlements and greater recognition of working parents' rights. Yet many women continue to encounter career setbacks when they return to work. As organisations compete for skilled talent, the challenge is no longer simply complying with maternity laws, but creating workplaces where parenthood does not come at the expense of career progression.
August 10
What Norway's viral 'Viking Row' teaches business leaders about building stronger teams
Norway's viral World Cup "Viking Row" is more than a fan ritual—it underscores the role of shared experiences in fostering trust, collaboration and collective performance. As AI and hybrid work reshape organisations, leaders must create opportunities for meaningful presence to strengthen innovation, learning and team effectiveness.
August 7
Can workplace friendship become a business advantage?
An analysis on how social connection affects collaboration, retention, wellbeing and innovation.
August 5
AI may be accelerating the case for the four-day workweek
As artificial intelligence boosts productivity and automates routine work, the four-day workweek is re-emerging as a business question rather than an employee perk. This article explores whether AI could make shorter workweeks commercially viable, and why productivity, not hours worked, may become the defining measure of performance.
August 4
Beyond perks: Why AI literacy is becoming the defining feature of employer brands
As AI reshapes the world of work, employees are increasingly choosing employers that invest in their future. This article explores why AI literacy, continuous learning and career resilience are emerging as the new foundations of employer branding, and how organisations are redefining their employee value proposition in the age of intelligent work.
August 3
AI is removing the first rung of the career ladder. What comes next?
As AI automates many entry-level technical tasks, organisations risk weakening the pipeline that develops future experts. Rather than abandoning traditional career paths, businesses must redesign learning, redefine entry-level work and determine where AI should automate, augment or accelerate human capability.
July 31
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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