Jack Dorsey's fintech Block cutting up to 10% of staff
Block didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The company, which facilitates bitcoin purchases by acquiring the cryptocurrency and reselling it at a small premium, missed Wall Street estimates for third-quarter profit amid persistent economic uncertainty and intensifying competition in the payments sector.
February 9
Bengaluru firm goes silent after issuing job offer to tech professional
A tech professional who accepted a Data Analyst role in Bengaluru says the company’s HR has stopped responding since he received the offer letter. Despite multiple attempts via email, calls, and messages, he hasn’t heard anything about joining formalities. The HR had also asked him to complete a professional NumPy certification, which he hasn’t done due to the silence.
February 9
PoSH conciliation doesn't bar employer from taking disciplinary action: Guwahati High Court
The Guwahati High Court has ruled that a settlement reached under the PoSH law does not prevent employers from starting their own disciplinary actions. This decision allows companies to initiate departmental proceedings even after conciliation. The court emphasized the employer's duty to ensure a safe workplace. This ruling impacts how sexual harassment cases are handled.
February 8
Sensory Intelligence: Seeing and Hearing Success -- Why one voice, one slide, one style never works
Most meetings and training sessions leave certain employees behind, largely because they don’t cater to different learning styles. This disconnect leads to disengagement, which is often mistaken for apathy. By embracing varied communication methods, leaders can enhance clarity and boost productivity. This not only minimizes friction but also empowers everyone to share their insights more effectively.
February 8
From bereavement leave to retirement support, India Inc bets on empathy-driven benefits to retain talent
Indian companies are updating employee benefits to help staff through major life changes. Firms like Optum India and Deutsche Bank are offering flexible work, more bereavement leave, and retirement support. This focus on empathy aims to keep employees, particularly younger ones. Companies recognize that supporting employees with family responsibilities boosts retention and productivity.
February 8
Tesla executives say company is hiring to support Musk’s expanded solar strategy
Tesla is hiring to support founder Elon Musk's recently announced plan to become the biggest U.S. manufacturer of solar energy components, according to online posts by senior executives at the company.
February 7
Redefining employee experience in hybrid workplace: Lessons from manufacturing
The article explores how manufacturing organizations can rethink employee experience in the era of hybrid work, breaking traditional myths around productivity, and sharing practical, technology-enabled, and inclusive strategies for operational and people success. It draws on industry insights, case studies, and emerging trends to provide actionable guidance for senior leaders navigating the evolving workplace.
February 6
Crypto exchange Gemini plans to lay off up to 200 staff, exit Europe and Australia
Gemini Space Station, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, said on Thursday it approved a plan to cut up to 200 jobs globally and operate only in the US and Singapore, under a broader cost-cutting effort.
February 6
UP Skill Development Mission to organise job drive for differently-abled
The UP Skill Development Mission will organise a ‘Divyangjan Employment Campaign 2.0' in all districts from Feb 6 to Feb 13.
February 6
Maersk says to cut 1,000 jobs as 2025 sales down 2.8%
Danish shipping giant Maersk said Thursday that it would cut 1,000 corporate positions as it reported lower revenue for 2025 and warned of continued overcapacity in the shipping industry this year. As a result, around 1,000 of its 6,000 corporate positions would be cut.
February 5
The Washington post fires around 300 employees, scales back global reporting
The Washington Post has undergone significant layoffs, impacting a substantial portion of its workforce, including foreign affairs columnist Ishaan Tharoor and numerous international correspondents. This restructuring drastically curtails the newspaper's global coverage, leading to the closure of bureaus and the elimination of key sections. The move has drawn sharp criticism from former editors and staff.
February 5
Cognizant to hire about 25,000 freshers in 2026
IT services major Cognizant on Wednesday said it aims to hire about 24,000-25,000 freshers in 2026 as part of its strategy to expand "bottom of the pyramid" workforce.
February 5
Crown Castle slashes 20% workforce
Wireless tower operator Crown Castle said on Wednesday it would reduce its tower and corporate workforce by around 20% and also forecast annual site rental revenue below Wall Street expectations, sending its shares down over 7% in extended trading.
February 5
Godrej Properties starts mental health, wellbeing programme for construction workers
Realty firm Godrej Properties Ltd on Wednesday said it has started a mental health and wellbeing programme for construction workers across all its project sites.
February 5
Washington Post says one-third of its staff across all departments is being laid off
The Washington Post is laying off one-third of its staff in the newsroom and other departments, a brutal blow at one of journalism's most legendary brands.
February 5
Texas journalist 'exposes' Indian recruiters behind 'H-1B only' job ads on LinkedIn
Gonzales said she visited the websites of the companies and found a common pattern: most of the contact numbers given on the sites do not work, the companies have their offices in India; they have unpolished/ wrong choice of English words on their sites; and they rent out virtual remote coworking space so that they can have an address but no one is there.
February 4
Hiring Strategies: GCCs look beyond immediate roles to build future-ready talent
As GCCs climb the value chain, hiring is becoming capability-led and future-focused. With the emergence of AI, industry leaders give an inside scoop of how roles are now designed for ownership, along with long-term value.
February 4
Amazon is laying off over 2,000 employees across Washington
Amazon is laying off 2,198 employees in Washington, primarily impacting software development, engineering management, and product roles. These cuts are part of a broader company-wide reduction affecting 16,000 corporate employees globally. The separations, scheduled to begin April 28, 2026, aim to "reduce layers, increase ownership, and remove bureaucracy."
February 4
Over 70% Indian recruiters turning to AI to find ‘hidden talent’: Report
Even as finding the right talent is getting harder, 71 per cent of recruiters in India said that artificial intelligence (AI) has helped them uncover candidates with skills they would have previously missed, according to a new report on Tuesday.
February 3
When companies vanish, verification fails: How one job seeker bypassed background checks
A Reddit user shared how they overcame a six-month employment gap after their startup failed by using a cousin as a fake reference during a background check. They prepped their cousin for twenty minutes on projects and shortcomings, and the HR team never caught the deception. Reddit users discussed similar experiences.
February 3
How childhood gaming quietly shaped the modern EMEA workplace
Gaming also reshaped how feedback is expected and processed. In games, feedback is immediate, continuous, and unambiguous.
February 9
The bandwidth crunch: How talent shortages are quietly breaking the EMEA workforce
Bandwidth, unlike headcount, is invisible on balance sheets. It reflects the cognitive, emotional, and operational load employees carry.
February 9
The rise of career plateaus: When progress slows but expectations do not
In the Middle East, the plateau problem is shaped by a dual workforce reality. Expatriate professionals often face progression ceilings driven by localisation policies and organisational limits.
February 6
From purpose to performance: The new role of CSR in workforce planning
Corporate social responsibility is moving from brand-led initiatives to a core workforce and business strategy. As Gen Z and millennials demand purpose at work, companies are aligning CSR with talent attraction, employee well-being and measurable ROI. From local, employee-led programmes to AI literacy and reskilling investments, CSR in 2026 will increasingly shape engagement, retention and future skills pipelines.
February 5
Green skills demand: Which roles are growing fastest in 2026
As the Middle East accelerates its energy transition, green skills are reshaping the region’s job market. We examine the fastest-growing sustainability and clean-energy roles in 2026, the forces driving demand, and what employers and policymakers must do to close critical talent gaps.
February 4
Behind the rising job cuts in the UK: Why the workforce is facing endless uncertainty
UK job cuts are accelerating as firms respond to higher costs, slower demand and rapid automation, creating sustained uncertainty for workers. Data from the Office for National Statistics and signals from the Bank of England show rising redundancies and cautious hiring. Reskilling, redeployment and policy support are emerging as critical stabilisers for the workforce.
February 3
How work-life integration fuels performance and psychological safety
Work-life integration, not balance, boosts productivity and loyalty. Chronic stress impairs cognitive function, making overworked employees less effective. Organisations must prioritise outcomes over hours, foster boundary-respecting leadership, and design for recovery. Measuring indicators like after-hours communication is crucial. This strategic shift from perk to policy unlocks potential and builds resilient, high-performing teams.
February 2
January 2026 leadership roundup: CXO moves across the EMEA region
January 2026 opened with a series of CXO and senior people leadership appointments across the EMEA region, spanning pharmaceuticals, engineering, retail, financial services, hospitality and logistics. From CEOs taking charge of institutional growth to HR leaders with strong regional and sector experience, these moves highlight how organisations began the year by reinforcing leadership priorities to support transformation, scale and workforce resilience.
January 30
Why job seekers are increasingly vulnerable to recruitment scams
From instant interview approvals to impersonated employer brands, recruitment scams are becoming more sophisticated. With early-year hiring underway, awareness and verification are now essential workforce skills.
January 29
Behind the contract backlog: How AI is quietly speeding up everyday processes
Contract work has long slowed teams down, but AI is quietly changing that. New survey data shows professionals are using AI to draft and review contracts, cutting delays, saving time and reducing costs. As this practice grows, contract responsibility is shifting beyond legal teams, changing how everyday work gets done.
January 28
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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