Layoffs do not just cut jobs; they reshape how surviving employees behave at work
Layoffs significantly transform workplace dynamics, forcing employees to adapt their communication styles and methods of collaboration. The remaining staff might either thrive under pressure or buckle under stress, making fairness in the layoff process essential to maintaining workplace harmony. In times of uncertainty, poor communication can lead to suspicion and resentment among team members.
May 17
Caregiving responsibilities prevent 8 in 10 Indian women from applying for jobs: Report
Nearly 8 in 10 women in India have chosen not to apply for certain jobs due to caregiving responsibilities, highlighting the continued impact of unpaid care work on women's career choices, according to a report by global job site Indeed.
May 17
AI may tilt job market leverage to older workers
More than 40% of CEOs plan to cut junior roles over the next one to two years and shift the composition of their workforce toward mid-level or senior positions, while only 17% plan to make junior roles a bigger part of the mix, according to a global survey by Oliver Wyman.
May 17
Six years after COVID, the work-from-home debate is back
While manufacturing and supply chain sectors still require a strong on-ground workforce, many organisations are exploring hybrid models, selective WFH policies and sustainable commuting practices such as carpooling to reduce fuel consumption. Industry experts say the challenge lies in balancing business continuity, employee well-being and the realities of roles where physical presence remains essential.
May 17
Google is piloting AI-assisted interviews for software engineering candidates
Tech giant Google is piloting a new interview format for software engineers, allowing AI assistant use during technical rounds. This move reflects the evolving engineering landscape, where AI plays a significant role. Candidates will be assessed on their ability to work with AI, including prompt engineering and output validation, aiming to mirror modern development practices.
May 17
Learning opportunity or overload? How companies use 'growth' to assign extra work
In the modern workplace, employees frequently encounter demanding assignments that masquerade as chances for professional growth. However, when goals are vague and assistance is sparse, these tasks can quickly lead to exhaustion. According to research from Gallup, effective communication and heartfelt recognition are essential to maintaining motivation. Genuine growth avenues are tailored, linking directly to career progression.
May 17
Anthropic's Claude writes 90% of code: CFO Krishna Rao reveals productivity gains
Anthropic's CFO, Krishna Rao, revealed that over 90% of the company's code is now generated by its AI tool, Claude Code. AI systems are automating significant portions of software engineering, finance, and operations, freeing employees for oversight and strategy. Despite automation, Anthropic is accelerating hiring, viewing AI as a productivity enhancer that amplifies talent.
May 16
‘No coders or managers’: 1 lakh tech jobs gone, but one type of engineer is becoming untouchable, and the ₹60.5 lakh crore reason why
Tech giants are shedding over 1 lakh jobs in 2026, including significant cuts at LinkedIn, Cisco, and PayPal, despite record AI investments. Companies are prioritizing experienced engineers who can integrate AI into business systems, leading to a surge in demand for AI translators and hybrid roles.
May 15
At Samsung, the global AI boom spurred a looming strike and deep divisions
More than 45,000 workers are threatening to stage the largest strike in the conglomerate's history from May 21, reducing production of memory chips that are crucial components in AI data centres, smartphones and laptops, as Samsung and its union struggle to find a compromise over bonus payouts.
May 15
Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on making AI fluency a requirement for promotions: It was quite straightforward
Sweet said Accenture had signalled the requirement well in advance and introduced AI learning programs before making AI fluency part of promotion criteria. According to her, employees had been aware that AI competency would become necessary for career advancement by around 2026.
May 15
Austerity mode on: India industry turns to WFH, EVs
The shift marks a significant change in corporate messaging after several large companies spent the past two years calling employees back to offices and tightening attendance mandates. Now, amid rising global energy prices and growing concerns over India’s import bill following tensions in West Asia, firms are increasingly positioning remote work and reduced travel as measures linked to efficiency, sustainability and resource conservation.
May 15
Volkswagen labour leaders stand by 'red line' on plant closures
The head of the powerful works council, Daniela Cavallo, IG Metall union head Christiane Benner and regional union leader Thorsten Groeger said that the 2024 deal and its commitment to German plants must not be called into question.
May 15
As May 20, set date for Meta layoffs nears, employees say 'morale is ‘horrifically low’
Meta is reportedly laying off 8,000 employees, about 10% of its workforce, despite record profits. This 'Year of Efficiency' has bred dread as funds shift from staff to AI infrastructure, with billions earmarked for AI development. Employee morale is at historic lows, with some even hoping for layoffs due to generous severance packages.
May 15
In an era when workers are returning to offices, here's how Dropbox is making remote jobs work
Dropbox has no plans to return its workers to offices. After adopting a "virtual-first" staffing model in 2020, the San Francisco technology company met all of its financial goals and remains committed to making remote work the norm for the vast majority of its employees, according to Chief People Officer Melanie Rosenwasser.
May 15
Layoff realities: Why top performance doesn't guarantee job security
Many workers assume that strong performance ensures their position is safe. Yet, unexpected company changes like mergers or financial constraints can lead to layoffs. Even top-tier employees may find themselves at risk if their roles are reassessed. It's essential to recognize that these organizational shifts, rather than personal achievements alone, can dictate job security.
May 15
Silence that shapes culture: What leaders can miss about sexual harassment
Sexual harassment prevention requires more than just punishing offenders; it demands proactively fostering environments where employees understand their rights and boundaries. Social psychology reveals how power dynamics, norms, and bystander inaction contribute to harassment, emphasizing the need for leaders to actively shape culture through clear communication and psychological safety, not just policy.
May 15
The rise of women in finance leadership in India: First it was in banking, now it is in GCCs
Arundhati Bhattacharya, Naina Lal Kidwai, Chanda Kochhar, Shikha Sharma were all leading some of the country’s largest financial institutions. Today, a striking number of global capability centres run in India by American, European and British banks and financial services firms are led by women. These centres span everything from core banking technology and risk management to advanced analytics and operations, supporting some of the world’s largest financial institutions and increasingly shaping how they function globally
May 15
UN human-rights experts urge Starbucks and US to address union-busting claims
The letter says the experts received information alleging "ongoing and widespread" threats, harassment and intimidation against Starbucks employees involved in union activity since 2021. The letter said the allegations include cases in several U.S. states where police were called on workers engaged in picketing, leafleting and other protest activity.
May 15
Why some promotions feel exciting at first, then suddenly turn into “I can’t do this.”
Promotions often bring unexpected challenges beyond increased workload, including heightened visibility and pressure to make decisions. Many employees struggle to adjust due to a lack of adequate company support and unclear expectations, leading to self-doubt about their capabilities. The transition is frequently under-supported, causing capable individuals to question their suitability for the new role.
May 14
Sandwich generation crisis grips millions of Americans
The Senate Special Committee on Ageing hearing focused on the so-called "sandwich generation" -- Americans balancing work, parenting and elder care at the same time.
May 14
Beyond frameworks: Four leadership archetypes that define how leaders operate
Every leader processes pressure, change, and relationships differently. This article introduces four leadership archetypes and explains why recognising these inherent styles can improve team dynamics, decision-making, and organisational resilience.
May 15
The caregiver employee: Carrying family responsibilities into the workplace
As caregiving responsibilities grow across generations, many employees are navigating the demands of work alongside caring for ageing parents, children, or partners. The article examines how this hidden layer of emotional labour is reshaping the employee experience and exposing gaps in workplace flexibility and cultural understanding.
May 14
Software developer ranked most promising career for children, study finds
Software development is projected to be the most promising career, with nearly 288,000 new jobs expected by 2034. This growth is driven by digital services and AI. Other top fields include healthcare management, nurse practitioners, data scientists, and information security analysts, all requiring evolving technical and human-centric skills.
May 13
Loyalty in the workplace: Fading tradition or evolving norm?
Workplace loyalty is no longer defined by years of service but by performance, growth, and mutual value. As layoffs, AI disruption, and shifting employee expectations reshape careers, both employers and employees are moving away from long-term attachment toward more pragmatic, purpose-driven engagement.
May 12
Why the HR brand is becoming the business brand in the Middle East
At the Future Forward Middle East Summit 2026, HR leaders from banking, hospitality, aviation and real estate discussed why employee experience is increasingly shaping organisational reputation and business growth. The panel explored how culture, frontline employees, leadership storytelling and trust are transforming HR.
May 11
Mother's Day: Where are working mothers most likely to stay, and grow
As organisations across EMEA grapple with talent shortages, shifting workforce expectations and rising caregiving responsibilities, retaining working mothers is becoming a business-critical challenge. As Mother’s Day approaches, let’s explore how industries such as technology, banking, healthcare and FMCG are redesigning work through flexibility, parental support and return-to-work programmes.
May 8
Discipline vs flexibility: What kind of culture actually drives results?
Organisations face a dichotomy between discipline-driven and outcome-driven work structures. While discipline fosters predictability and trust, excessive rigidity can stifle initiative. Conversely, flexibility enhances autonomy and talent attraction but risks collaboration issues. The most successful companies now embrace structured flexibility, intentionally balancing outcomes with adaptable methods and locations.
May 7
AI disrupts hiring pipeline: Shrinking white-collar entry roles, rising skilled labour demand
A major labour market reset is underway as AI reshapes the structure of work. The Workplace Intelligence Forecast for 2026 shows entry-level white-collar roles declining due to automation, while demand for skilled, on-ground and infrastructure roles is rising. The shift is redefining hiring pipelines and challenging long-held assumptions about career entry points.
May 6
Hiring freezes today, talent gaps tomorrow: The emerging risk to business goals
Companies are reshaping workforce strategies through hiring freezes and internal mobility. Yet as external hiring slows, concerns are mounting over shrinking talent pipelines and future capability shortages.
May 5
How HR can help women effectively navigate the “bro-ocracy”
Workplace systems still favour informal male-dominated networks, limiting women’s access to leadership and opportunities. The article highlights HR’s role in driving bias-free, structured talent decisions while enabling women to build visibility, influence, and self-advocacy, positioning gender equity as both a fairness and business imperative.
May 4
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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