EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION
From Tata Tiago to Hyundai i20 and Harrier, Jodhpur company surprises employees with brand-new cars this Diwali
A Jodhpur-based education marketing agency, Mediagarh, surprised four employees with brand-new cars as Diwali gifts during its annual Sneh Milan 3.0 celebration on Dhanteras. The company gifted two Tata Tiagos, a Hyundai i20 and a Tata Harrier to employees in recognition of their performance and contributions. Continuing a tradition started two years ago, Mediagarh increased its car giveaways from one in the first year to four this Diwali.
EPFO total contributions expected to rise by 25% in 2027-28 due to wage ceiling increase
EPFO is forecasting a major increase in its total contributions for the financial year 2027-28. The wage ceiling has been raised to ₹25,000 from ₹15,000, effective September 17. Total contributions for the current year are estimated to exceed previous budgeted amounts significantly. Additionally, the board will consider investing up to 3% in alternative investment funds.
Social Security payroll tax cap rises to $192,300 in 2027: How much more will high earners pay from their paychecks, who will be affected, and what does it mean for your take-home pay?
Social Security taxes will take a bigger bite out of some high earners' paychecks in 2027. The taxable income limit is rising to $192,300 from $184,500, meaning another $7,800 of wages will be taxed. Workers earning above the new limit could pay up to $483.60 more next year. The increase comes as retirees are set to receive a 3.6% benefit boost.
A record 769,000 Americans now have $1 million in their 401(k). Here’s how much they save
As of late June, an impressive 769,000 people had exceeded $1 million in their workplace retirement accounts. Fidelity revealed that the average 401(k) balance was pegged at $155,800, while the median was notably lower at $35,800. In the second quarter, thanks to a 14.9% increase in the S&P 500, many account holders saw significant recovery.
EPFO reveals conditions to join EPF, EPS and EDLI
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has raised the Employees' Provident Fund wage ceiling to enhance participation. Employees earning between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000 will now be required to join the schemes. Those earning less than Rs 15,000 can also opt into the schemes voluntarily. This increase in ceiling may lead to higher PF contributions and, consequently, greater retirement savings.
US midterm elections: What a Democratic Congress could mean for Indian H-1B visa holders
The potential shift towards a Democratic majority in Congress may reshape the discourse on immigration law. Nevertheless, specialists indicate that immediate adjustments for Indian tech workers concerning H-1B visas are improbable. The lingering impact of the previous administration on immigration policy remains prominent.
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Lenskart, Nykaa, PhysicsWallah see Q2 profits surge
New-age companies Nykaa, Lenskart, and PhysicsWallah reported strong numbers for the September quarter. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Ahead of Diwali, Gujarat govt hikes DA by 3% for employees, pensioners
The Gujarat government has announced a 3% Dearness Allowance hike for 4.62 lakh serving employees and 5.07 lakh pensioners ahead of Diwali. Effective from July 1, 2026, the increase will bring four months of arrears with November salaries and pensions, costing the state Rs 523 crore in arrears.
ShareChat’s FY26 revenue jumps 40% to Rs 1,016 crore on microdrama push; net loss widens
However, its loss before tax widened to Rs 1,978 crore in FY26 from Rs 1,105 crore in the previous year, largely due to higher accounting expenses related to its convertible debt instruments, forex losses and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), cofounder and CFO Manohar Singh Charan told ET.
Canva layoffs: Employee's ‘four-year journey came to an unexpected end’ after job loss and shares an emotional post after layoff
Monica Gonzalez Castro, a former Operations Business Partner at Canva, was among the 1,200-plus employees affected by layoffs. Sharing an emotional LinkedIn post, she reflected on her four-year journey, thanked her colleagues and mentors, and described the experience as deeply rewarding. She also announced that she is looking for her next professional opportunity.
Kerala Home Minister directs Vigilance to examine Rs 2 crore bribery allegation against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has directed the VACB to investigate new bribery allegations against Gyanesh Kumar. The allegations involve a former contractor who claims Kumar demanded a bribe during a road construction project. This project was part of the Kerala State Transport Project conducted nearly two decades ago. A previous Vigilance inquiry was closed without establishing the claims made by the contractor.
Freshworks crosses $1 billion ARR as enterprise push lifts growth
Revenue for the July-September quarter rose to $245.4 million from $215.1 million a year earlier. Net profit stood at $18.3 million, compared with a loss of $4.7 million in the year-ago period. Its non-GAAP operating margin expanded to 29.8% from 21% a year earlier, while adjusted free cash flow increased 29% to $73.9 million.
Nearly 44% of workplace sexual harassment cases occur outside office premises: Report
In India, more than 40 percent of sexual harassment incidents occur outside typical workspaces, according to research. Alarmingly, many employees lack knowledge of their company's Prevention of Sexual Harassment policies. Complaints point to a pervasive hostile work environment, fueled by multiple harassment forms. Additionally, there's growing anxiety about confidentiality in addressing these issues, underlining the persistent challenges in ensuring a safe workplace against harassment.
As HR takes on a larger business role, are organisations recognising the teams driving that change?
The Economic Times HR Excellence Awards 2027 spotlight the transformative nature of HR within organizations, underlining their crucial role in shaping business strategy, fostering talent development, and enhancing employee experiences. With six distinct award categories such as Talent Acquisition and Employee Experience, this initiative serves to honor HR teams that significantly boost organizational performance and drive workforce change.
EPFO’s WhatsApp service: You can check EPF balance, view last 5 transactions and download passbook by sending message
The launch of the EPFO WhatsApp service was announced by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. This new feature empowers subscribers to easily check their EPF balance, view the latest transactions, and download passbook details. Moreover, the initiative addresses automatic settlements for dormant accounts, benefiting around one lakh users whose balance falls under Rs 1,000, thereby simplifying processes and minimizing the necessity for in-person visits.
The changing C-suite: How finance and HR leaders are driving business transformation
CFOs and CHROs are moving beyond traditional responsibilities to become strategic business partners. The discussion explores how finance and HR leaders are navigating uncertainty, driving technology adoption, building organisational resilience and aligning financial and people strategies with sustainable growth.
Info Edge's Sanjeev Bikhchandani takes charge, assures continuity after Hitesh Oberoi
Info Edge (India) Ltd, the owner of Naukri.com, is reshaping its leadership, with founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani set to return to an executive role as managing director and group chief executive officer after Hitesh Oberoi steps down from the top operating job following nearly 27 years with the company.
Has EPFO extended ECR filing deadline from October 31, 2026? What employers need to know
Employers must file the Electronic Challan-cum-Return for September 2026 by October 31, 2026. The EPFO extended the previous deadline to accommodate changes in contribution calculations due to the new wage ceiling. For the period of September 1 to 16, contributions are calculated at Rs 15,000, while from September 17 onward, they will be at Rs 25,000.
IDBI Bank employees' forum opposes Fairfax stake sale, seeks parliamentary review
The United Forum of IDBI Officers and Employees has opposed the planned sale of IDBI Bank's majority stake. They have requested an immediate suspension of the sale process due to market volatility. The forum argues that the decision lacks adequate justification and transparency. They are calling for a comprehensive review under parliamentary scrutiny, emphasizing the need for caution.
Odoo 20 strengthens business operations with deeper India-specific compliance features
Odoo 20 has launched several updates designed specifically for Indian businesses. These updates focus on enhancing GST compliance, payroll processing, and accounting workflows to meet local demands. The integration of AI facilitates improved data handling and analysis in everyday operations, ultimately boosting productivity.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti 2026: Why is October 31 celebrated as National Unity Day? check history, significance and celebrations
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated on October 31 to commemorate the birth of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Various nationwide activities, including the Run for Unity and the Unity Pledge, foster participation among citizens. Schools and colleges engage students with competitions to illuminate Patel's legacy.
How should companies measure performance when AI does part of the work?
As AI becomes part of everyday work, companies are reconsidering how they assess employee performance. Measuring output alone may overlook the quality of decisions, the ability to verify AI-generated work, and the value employees add beyond what the technology can produce.
Your HR operations team keeps the business running. Is its impact being recognised?
HR operations experts are essential in boosting effectiveness and enriching the employee journey inside companies. The ET HR Excellence Awards 2027 celebrates teams that have transformed HR workflows and provided valuable insights based on data. This recognition motivates them to capture their accomplishments and receive the praise they truly merit for their impactful contributions.
UPS rules clarified: What happens to pension contributions during employee’s probation, suspension and absence from duty
Central government employees must contribute to the Unified Pension Scheme during probation, yet contributions during suspension are optional. The government continues contributions during suspension only if the employee opts to contribute as well. Employees on absence without pay are exempt from making any contributions at that time. Delayed contributions may be restored if the delay is not the subscriber's fault.
'Dropboxers, today will be your last day': Dropbox lays off 9% of global workforce; CTO Ali Dasdan to step down. Read what the company said in memo
Dropbox is set to cut approximately 200 jobs as part of its growth-oriented reorganization plan. The focus will be on restructuring teams in engineering, product, and administration, resulting in several employees leaving immediately. On November 18, Chief Technology Officer Ali Dasdan will also resign. Employees impacted by the layoffs will receive severance packages including financial support, while the company aims to enhance operations and customer service effectiveness.
EPF calculator: How your Rs 50 lakh retirement corpus can keep growing for 3 years without any PF contributions
Employees' Provident Fund accounts continue to earn interest for three years after the age of 58. After that period, accounts become inoperative unless members withdraw their accrued corpus.
EPS pension hike: Can EPFO increase minimum monthly pension from Rs 1,000 at its proposed November 19 meeting?
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation may discuss increasing the minimum monthly pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme. A proposal to raise the pension from Rs 1,000 is anticipated during the next Central Board of Trustees meeting.
ET HR Excellence Awards 2027: Exploring 40+ categories across Organisation and Team Excellence, and Leadership Honours
The ET HR Excellence Awards 2027 honor groundbreaking efforts from organizations, HR professionals, and leaders aimed at improving workplace culture and overall performance. Covering 42 award categories, this prestigious event celebrates excellence in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and HR technology, underscoring the essential role that HR plays in facilitating business transformation.
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