EMPLOYEES
Longer Diwali breaks: companies give employees more time to celebrate
Many companies are providing extended breaks for their employees during Diwali to promote well-being and family connections. Embassy Group is giving its employees a nine-day break, emphasizing a people-first culture. CashKaro is offering six days off to help employees recharge after the busy festive season. Myntra plans to recognize employee contributions with two additional holiday days following its sales period.
Workout after work: India Inc flexes its fitness muscle
Employers in India are enhancing workplace fitness programs to promote well-being and active lifestyles among employees. Companies like Procter & Gamble and InMobi now offer gym facilities and wellness initiatives. The demand for fitness programs is rising among mid-sized businesses and startups, providing greater access to wellness resources.
Microsoft employees raise concerns over AI strategy amid 60,000-person buyout offer
The letter, cited in a report byThe New York Times, accuses Microsoft of pursuing AI with a “speed-at-all-costs” approach and urges the company to stop linking employees' use of AI tools to performance rewards or reprimands.
Workout after work: India Inc flexes its fitness muscle as employers make workplace wellness harder to skip
Indian companies are expanding workplace fitness programmes, offering employees access to office gyms, group exercise classes, personal training, sports facilities and memberships across multiple locations. Procter & Gamble, InMobi and Walmart Global Tech are among the employers investing in employee wellness, while fitness providers Cult for Corporates and Fit.Zone report growing corporate demand. The focus is increasingly shifting from offering fitness as an employee perk to encouraging greater participation and making healthy routines part of the working day.
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.
Compulsory retirement order is neither punitive nor stigmatic in character: SC
The Supreme Court upheld the Chhattisgarh government's order of compulsory retirement for several employees. It noted such orders are not punitive or indicative of misconduct against the employees. The court emphasised the importance of objective evaluations when determining an employee's suitability for continued service. It clarified that the decision should not be based on mere conjecture or whim.
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India Inc lights up Diwali with longer weekends, flexible work and extra pay for festive shifts
Companies across India are making Diwali more employee-friendly through extended holidays, work-from-home options, practical gifts and workplace celebrations. Zepto advanced its holiday, while Hitachi India offered employees a choice of gifts. NoBroker.com organised celebrations involving support staff, and Trev Mobility announced additional payouts for driver-partners working during the festival.
Why Big Tech companies Microsoft, Google, Meta and others are opting for voluntary buyouts
In response to fluctuating market demands, Meta has rolled out voluntary exit packages in France aimed at workforce restructuring. This initiative is part of a broader trend as tech giants like Google and Microsoft implement similar measures globally to optimize costs. These packages offer employees the choice to depart with financial incentives and transition support, showcasing a more favorable approach compared to traditional layoffs amidst economic uncertainty.
Employees' body seeks uniform MACP benefits for staff who refused promotion
The Government Employees National Confederation (GENC) is seeking clarity from the Department of Personnel and Training regarding the MACP rules. GENC argues that a refusal of regular promotions should not equate to an indefinite denial of financial upgradation. Citing Central Administrative Tribunal judgments, the confederation calls for consistent rule implementation across ministries and requests a review of pending cases affecting eligible employees.
AI gains fail to cool rising staff costs at Indian IT services firms
Although artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are changing the traditional labour-intensive model of IT services, they have yet to bring down employee costs for the country’s top six IT services companies—Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro, Tech Mahindra and LTM (formerly LTIMindtree).
Why Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Uber are restricting AI access for employees
Goldman Sachs recently restricted most of its employees from using Anthropic’s Claude Code and Microsoft’s GitHub coding tools,Bloomberg reported, citing an October internal guidance. The American investment banking company had earlier allowed employees across departments to experiment with these tools to automate routine tasks, analyse trading activity, and create content.
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.
Uttarakhand announces 3% DA hike for employees ahead of Diwali
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushakar Singh Dhami has approved a 3% increase in Dearness Allowance for state employees. This decision raises the DA rate from 60% to 63%. The increase follows a similar decision by the union government, effective since July 1. The benefits of this increase will extend to various personnel in local bodies and educational institutions.
After taking voluntary buyout offer in Google and returning laptop, she ran 7 miles home. Her 2027 prediction and unusual career journey is intriguing
Former Google employee Kristin Furdak Smart, after a fulfilling decade with the company, opted for a voluntary exit program. Joining in 2007 and returning in 2017, she played a key role in numerous employee training initiatives. Celebrating her departure with an energetic seven-mile run home, she whimsically hinted at a potential comeback in 2027, showcasing her playful spirit and dedication to an active lifestyle.
Google voluntary buyouts: What's the exit package, which teams qualify and how many employees are eligible after Microsoft's similar offer?
Google Voluntary Exit Programme Details: Google has expanded its voluntary buyout programme to selected employees in five countries. The offer comes as Microsoft rolls out a similar voluntary exit scheme covering around 60,000 employees. Here's a look at Google's severance package, eligible teams and the number of employees who could opt for the offer.
Apple cuts employee AI budgets in cost-control push
Apple has reduced employee budgets for AI usage as part of a broader effort to rein in costs, even as it seeks to expand the use of AI across its operations, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announces 3% DA hike for 8 lakh government employees this Diwali
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced a 3% increase in dearness allowance for state employees and pensioners. This decision will benefit approximately eight lakh government workers and follows recent protests for DA arrears. The previous DA rate was raised from 28% to 53% under the current government. Mann emphasised that his administration is open to employee discussions regarding their demands.
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.
Government clarifies GPF rules for deceased employee’s claim: Ministry reveals who among family members and nominees get GPF money
GPF for government employees: The government has provided crucial updates on the General Provident Fund (GPF) policies concerning the beneficiaries of deceased government employees. While family nominees will be entitled to the GPF funds, certain stipulations apply. In cases where valid nominees are absent, family members will inherit equal portions of the GPF sum, but exclusions are noted for adult sons and married daughters.
iPhone 16 as Diwali gift! Delhi company surprises employees with smartphones; watch their reactions in viral video
In an unexpected twist this Diwali, a Delhi-based company gifted its employees with the iPhone 16 smartphones as festive gifts. A lively video shared on Instagram showcased the beautifully arranged devices on office desks, capturing the joyful reactions of the staff. This thoughtful gesture not only drew extensive social media buzz but also ignited conversations about creative ways to celebrate and appreciate employees during festival times.
Google extends voluntary buyout offers to employees in several countries
The move comes amid mounting AI spending that has unnerved Wall Street and dented Alphabet's stock price. Microsoft last week offered voluntary buyouts to 60,000 employees in an effort to contain costs. Alphabet's workforce has grown steadily in recent quarters, but it has sought to shift resources toward priority areas.
Why are companies restricting AI access to employees
Goldman Sachs, Uber, JPMorgan and Nvidia are some of the global firms that have restricted their employees’ usage of AI tools
Canva layoffs severance package: From six months’ salary, $10,000 grants to MacBooks, here’s what company has promised affected employees following a 22% workforce reduction
Canva layoff news: Canva Group has announced plans to lay off approximately 1,271 employees as part of a major restructuring effort. The company aims to consolidate its teams to enhance operational efficiency and clarify ownership. Employees affected by the layoffs will receive a generous severance package, which includes financial support for their future endeavors. Canva will require some staff to relocate to Sydney, where product teams will be centralized.
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.
Microsoft buyout offer: Should you take the payout or risk future layoffs? A legal expert explains what to do before signing
Microsoft buyout offer: Microsoft has offered voluntary buyouts to around 60,000 employees, leaving workers to weigh the payout against the uncertainty of staying or finding another job. Employment attorney Craig Levey shares what employees should review before signing, from legal terms and future layoff concerns to negotiation and tax implications.
36-48 months of salary as Diwali bonus, rumours or true? Micron's bonanza to Indian employees confirmed by techie
Micron employees in India are reportedly receiving massive Diwali bonuses, with some payouts allegedly running into several times their annual salaries. Reddit discussions and posts on X have highlighted claims of employees receiving lakhs in cash and additional stock awards. One recently hired employee reportedly received Rs 12 lakh in cash and Rs 8 lakh worth of RSUs against an annual package of Rs 7-8 lakh.
Why is Microsoft borrowing $25 billion after offering buyouts to 60,000 employees?
Microsoft 25 billion bond sale: Microsoft is raising $25 billion through a bond sale as AI infrastructure costs rise, days after offering voluntary buyouts to nearly 60,000 employees. The company expects up to 3,000 employees to accept the exit offer as it prepares to spend $175 billion on capital expenditure in 2026.
Govt employees facing disciplinary action? Know these 7 important rights before accepting charges
Employees in the government sector who find themselves undergoing disciplinary reviews must be informed about their rights before replying to any allegations. They deserve clear charges and at least 15 days to respond. Should they dispute the charges, an oral inquiry, enabling cross-examination of the witnesses, is obligatory. These employees can also present their defense witnesses and seek a personal hearing.
Frontline Workers Know How to Solve Your Organization’s Biggest Problems
Frontline employees often know exactly what’s preventing organizations from performing at their best, yet traditional engagement surveys rarely uncover those insights or translate them into action. Companies can close that gap by adopting a disciplined six-step process that combines structured interviews, targeted surveys, collaborative problem solving, and rapid experimentation. When leaders and frontline employees cocreate solutions—and measure their impact—they improve trust, strengthen engagement, and design work that delivers better outcomes for employees, customers, and the business
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