Oracle’s AI pivot cuts deep, lays off 20% of its India workforce
Oracle has cut about 10,000 jobs in India, sources familiar with the matter told ET, as part of the global cloud computing major's worldwide restructuring exercise that has reportedly hit 30,000 employees already and could lead to further retrenchments.
April 2
86% in India report workplace disruptions, above global levels
Exclusively accessed by TOI, the 2026 Human Progress Report by ETS (Educational Testing Service), a global non-profit that designs assessments like TOEFL and GRE and tracks workforce readiness trends, flags a defining shift. Job security is no longer about tenure, but adaptability.
April 1
Oracle lays off around 12,000 employees in India, another round likely within a month
Globally, the company has fired around 30,000 employees. "In India, around 12,000 employees have been laid off. The company is planning another mass layoff within a month," said two people impacted by the retrenchment, including one from the company's human resource department. The company has approximately 30,000 employees in India, including those affected by the layoffs.
April 1
Invisible ROI of mentoring
Mentorship is a catalyst for professional growth, but its effectiveness hinges on the commitment of both the mentor and mentee. When approached with intention, it can ignite innovation and unlock potential. Conversely, lackluster efforts may discourage engagement and waste opportunities. Companies should prioritize investing in their mentoring initiatives to maximize benefits.
April 1
Exit interviews are too late: Why HR needs ‘stay intelligence’
The article explores how organisations can move beyond retrospective exit interviews to a more proactive, data-led approach to retention. It highlights the concept of “stay intelligence” and outlines how HR leaders can identify disengagement early, strengthen manager effectiveness, and build continuous listening frameworks.
March 31
Swedish public television SVT cuts 141 jobs
Swedish public television SVT announced Monday it was cutting 141 of its 2,100 jobs as part of a previously announced 355-million-kronor ($37-million) savings plan. The bulk of the cost reductions, some 220 million kronor, concern the programming division, but news operations would also lose 80 million kronor.
March 31
Fuel shock to workforce shift: How India’s LPG crisis is reshaping industry norms
Interestingly, not all industries have faced acute labour shortages. Large packaged foods industries, large manufacturing units report relatively stable workforce conditions despite operational disruptions. This suggests that the labour impact has been uneven, depending on sectoral dependence on contract workers and intensity of production cuts.
March 30
We are beyond annual ratings: A CHRO’s advisory on appraisal season
Annual performance reviews carry significant weight. The author emphasizes that ratings are a summary, not the full story. Maturity lies in separating work performance from personal identity. Leaders must own feedback transparently. Focusing on controllable growth and learning offers a stable path through this period.
March 30
AI is taking over learning: Are L&D professionals ready?
As AI automates content creation and delivery, the L&D function is being redefined. We explore how roles are shifting from training delivery to capability building, and why L&D professionals must evolve into strategic, tech-enabled partners to stay relevant in an AI-driven workplace.
March 30
India Inc pushes back as Gen Z embraces ‘Lily Padding’ careers
Across sectors from fashion retail to manufacturing and services, HR leaders agreed that Gen Zs are not rejecting accountability. Instead, they are seeking clearer expectations, faster feedback and visible career pathways.
March 30
You don’t win by being louder. You win by becoming inevitable
Why in the age of AI, the real work of HR is not engagement--but system design
March 29
India's largest carmaker bets on women; From ITI to Assembly Line, Maruti Suzuki's women are rewriting the rules
At present, over 190 women are employed on Maruti Suzuki's shopfloors across its Gurugram and Manesar plants. They are not in peripheral roles. These women work hands-on in production quality control, instrument panel sub-assembly, rear door sub-assembly, transmission assembly, and engine assembly lines , including the technically demanding K and Z series engine units.
March 29
Trump signs executive order asking federal contractors to eliminate DEI
Civil rights advocates say DEI practices help address historic inequities for marginalized groups like women, the LGBT community and ethnic minorities. Trump casts DEI as anti-merit and as discriminatory against groups like white people and men.
March 29
Beyond Hybrid Work: How result-oriented work environments are replacing traditional productivity metrics
Organisations are shifting from old productivity measures like hours worked to new systems. These new systems, called Result-Oriented Work Environments or ROWE, focus on what employees achieve. ROWE offers flexibility and autonomy. It aims to boost productivity and job satisfaction. However, challenges exist in defining outcomes and preventing burnout. This approach values impact over mere activity.
March 29
The unspoken economics of careers: Why staying too long can be risky?
How learning curves, diminishing returns, and salary growth quietly shape career outcomes.
March 29
Job hunt crisis: Candidates spend $1,500 monthly to get noticed by employers
The trend has fueled discussion across the recruitment industry, as candidates struggle with longer job searches, increasing unemployment pressures, and an application system many believe is no longer functioning efficiently.
March 29
How the ‘Bar Raiser’ concept determines hiring decisions at Amazon
Instead of managers hiring for their own teams, Amazon has introduced a Bar Raiser–a neutral person not from the hiring team–who has the veto power to look at the hiring. They possess the skill sets with respect to the cultural alignment for raising the bar on each talent, and ensure that the firm is hiring the right talent.
March 27
National Australia Bank to cut 170 jobs amid offshore expansion
The union, which represents bank workers across Australia, said the proposal would make 447 roles redundant while creating 277 new onshore positions, resulting in a net loss of about 170 jobs nationwide.
March 26
Candidate cannot be denied job over pending minor criminal case: Allahabad High Court
The order was passed by Justice Karunesh Singh Pawar of the Lucknow bench of the HC while allowing a service petition filed by one Rakesh Kumar Verma.
March 26
IIM placements defy global turmoil, pay hits new highs
At IIM Ahmedabad, the highest offer more than doubled to ₹2.2 crore, offered by Dubai-based Intertec Systems for an AI role, a person at the institute told ET. Average salaries at IIM-A rose to ₹36-38 lakh from ₹33 lakh last year.
March 26
Beyond AI adoption: Why communication is now a business-critical strategy
As AI reshapes operations, companies face rising disengagement due to unclear communication. Strengthening internal messaging, recognition, and change communication can help organisations retain talent and sustain growth momentum.
April 2
Personal branding: Turning strength into opportunity
Personal branding is no longer optional; it’s how professionals turn visibility into opportunity. This piece explores how clarity, consistency, and value-driven content shape perception and credibility over time.
April 1
March 2026 CXO moves: 6 leadership shifts shaping growth, talent and transformation across EMEA
March 2026 leadership transitions in EMEA signal a strategic pivot towards growth, operational scale, and talent transformation. Key CXO appointments in infrastructure, logistics, and HR underscore a stronger alignment between business strategy and leadership capabilities, aiming to build future-ready organizations amidst evolving economic and technological landscapes.
March 31
Leading with care, deciding with clarity: Al Nabooda’s CPO on empathy-led leadership
As workplaces grapple with uncertainty, shifting employee expectations, and evolving work models, empathetic leadership is emerging as a critical capability. In an exclusive interview with ETHRWorld EMEA, Al Nabooda Automobiles’ CPO, Anja Petrovski, shares how leaders can balance care with accountability, build trust, and drive performance without compromising business realities.
March 26
Keep your glass half empty to learn, unlearn, and relearn: Trukker’s CPO take on agile leadership
As AI and automation reshape roles, Capt (Dr) Pranav Prasoon Thakur, Chief People Officer at Trukker, highlights that the future of work will depend on continuous skilling, empathetic leadership, and overcoming resistance to change. He emphasises that HR’s role is evolving from process to strategy, with leaders needing to enable people to adapt, grow, and stay relevant.
March 25
10 appraisal mistakes that push employees towards exits
From ignoring market benchmarks to poor communication, common appraisal missteps are driving disengagement. These gaps are accelerating attrition and impacting workforce stability.
March 24
The silent burden of a caregiver employee: Balancing work and family responsibilities
The article highlights the often-overlooked challenges of employee-caregivers, particularly those caring for aging parents, amidst modern individualism. It critiques the notion of placing parents in care homes due to systemic risks, advocating instead for prioritising family. Legal and HR options exist, but a supportive workplace culture is crucial for employees to utilise them.
March 23
The promotion trap: Why high performance does not equal leadership readiness
The shift from individual contributor to people manager is one of the most underestimated transitions in the workplace. This article examines why organisations must stop assuming leadership ability will appear after promotion and start treating it as a capability that must be built.
March 20
Turning EVP from paper promise into workplace reality: Insights from HR Icon Rami Busbait
Organisations are investing in pay, promotions, and benefits, yet many employees still fail to experience EVP promises in practice. In this interview, Rami Busbait explains how HR leaders can design and execute EVPs that are authentic, practical, and aligned with workforce expectations.
March 19
Beyond growth: How GCC CEOs are building organisations that endure
At the ET Future Forward Middle East Summit 2026, industry leaders discussed how GCC firms can sustain rapid growth by balancing profitability with employee retention, strengthening internal leadership pipelines while hiring for future skills, and preserving culture during expansion and M&A. The session also highlighted HR’s shift towards driving capability, continuous learning, and culture measurement to build organisations that endure.
March 18
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
Your premier HR solutions partner, empowering businesses with tailored services for growth and compliance excellence.