EMPLOYEES PERFORMANCE
Farmer's son from small Tamil Nadu village builds Rs 1.5-crore software business after quitting nine-year Chennai IT career & starting with just two laptops
Eswaran Arumugam launched his Tamil Nadu-based software venture, Yaa Creations, with just Rs 1 lakh borrowed from his brother and two laptops. The business faced several hurdles, including financial strain, disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and accumulated debt of Rs 5 lakh. However, he gradually turned things around and expanded operations. Today, the company, headquartered in Rasipuram in Namakkal district, employs 26 people, serves clients in seven countries and completed projects worth Rs 1.5 crore in 2025.
7 reasons why organisations & HR leaders should nominate for the ET HR Excellence Awards 2027
The ET HR Excellence Awards 2027 celebrate the transformative efforts of organizations and HR leaders making a significant impact in workplace culture. These prestigious awards shine a light on initiatives that enrich employee experiences and show real business results. Now is the time to submit nominations and share your stories of success in the dynamic world of HR.
Amid layoff season, this Bengaluru company is paying employees to quit and start their own business and return back if things don't work out
Amid layoffs and voluntary buyout offers at global tech companies, Bengaluru-based iD Fresh Food is encouraging employees to quit and start their own businesses. CEO Musthafa PC's entrepreneurship policy offers a partially paid sabbatical, mentorship, access to the company's business network and an option to return if their ventures fail.
Online festive sales miss estimates; Munjal steps down as Unacademy CEO
Happpy Thursday! Online festive sales grew, but fell short of expectations amid weak smartphone demand.This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Qualcomm global recast may cost 1,000 jobs in India
The US chipmaker employs about 20,000 people in India, mainly at its engineering and design facilities in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and the National Capital Region. ET first reported in October that its global restructuring could affect 600-1,000 jobs in India.
Xiaomi eyes local partners; Electronics firms target AI infra
Xiaomi is looking for local partners as it plans to manufacture home appliances in India. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
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Tech layoffs were just the start: 1.6 million more US job cuts could push America toward recession
US technology layoffs have crossed 200,000 in 2026, with Google, Microsoft, Amazon and other major companies cutting jobs. But the bigger concern is whether the trend will spread to retail and financial services, where another 1.6 million job losses could push unemployment higher and raise fears of a US recession.
Air India losses narrow, but Singapore Airlines’ profit falls 44% as fuel costs rise
In its latest financial report, Singapore Airlines announced a net profit of S$134 million for the first half, down from S$239 million in the same period last year. The airline faced a more than 20% rise in expenses, driven by higher jet fuel prices that reached US$171 per barrel, marking an 86.7% increase. Nevertheless, revenue saw a boost of 16.8% to S$11.
Qualcomm layoffs severance package: 3 months' salary, extra payout based on years of service & one more month's pay for signing exit papers within 3 days; what employees are being offered
Qualcomm has reportedly begun laying off employees in India as part of a global workforce restructuring exercise that could affect around 1,000 staff, or 5–6% of its workforce in the country. Reports suggest affected employees may be offered three months' salary as severance, with additional compensation based on tenure and an extra month's pay for those who sign exit documents within three days. Qualcomm has not publicly confirmed the reported severance package.
Qualcomm initiates India layoffs: Here’s how much employees will get in severance
Qualcomm has begun implementing planned job cuts globally, affecting employees in India and the US (in California).
Using ChatGPT at work could make your boss trust you less, even if you deliver better results, study of managers warns
A new study spanning six experiments finds that employees who use ChatGPT and other AI tools at work may be seen as less trustworthy by their bosses, even when they deliver better results. Researchers found that managers were more likely to trust employees who worked independently, while clear company policies encouraging AI use could help reduce the trust penalty.
Anthropic expands Claude into spreadsheets, dashboards and collaborative workplace tools
Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has expanded its Claude platform with new tools for creating spreadsheets, digital whiteboards and data dashboards, broadening its capabilities in workplace productivity and collaboration.
Is your HR strategy creating measurable impact? This could be the time to get it recognised
The Economic Times HR Excellence Awards 2027 shine a light on exemplary HR practices within various organizations, teams, and leaders. Encompassing 42 categories, the awards highlight significant accomplishments in realms like HR transformation, talent acquisition, employee experience, and workplace culture, showcasing how effective people strategies can directly enhance business performance.
Russell Brand movies and TV shows: From 'Get Him to the Greek' to 'Big Brother's Big Mouth', a look at his career after 10-year jail sentence
Russell Brand received a sentence of ten years and six months for raping a fan and assaulting three women. This conviction occurred during his showbiz career, which once included major films and television shows. Brand gained fame with roles in movies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and various British comedy programs. His previous marriage to Katy Perry lasted 14 months before their divorce in 2012.
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.
Companies want AI-powered customer service; EY says they need a bigger reset
Adopting artificial intelligence tools alone is insufficient for companies aiming to enhance customer service operations. They need to redesign their operating models and workforce capabilities, as highlighted in an EY report. Assessing existing operations and identifying gaps are crucial first steps in this transformation process. Additionally, integrating AI into existing systems is necessary to drive measurable business outcomes and improve customer experiences.
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.
Bayer signs MoU with Karnataka government for ₹200 crore manufactuing facility near Bengaluru
Bayer Science and Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Karnataka government to establish a manufacturing facility. The investment is worth ₹200 crore and is expected to create around 220 jobs. The agreement was signed in the presence of Large and Medium Industries Minister M. B. Patil. Bayer intends to break ground before the Global Investor's Meet scheduled for April 2027.
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.
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).
First husband, then wife lose their tech jobs in US, newborn baby at home and healthcare coverage worries. Heartbreaking post highlights growing anxiety among tech workers
Ha Nguyen, a founder and managing partner, shared the heartbreaking story of a US-based tech couple who lost their jobs one after another while caring for their newborn baby. With healthcare coverage at risk, the couple faces mounting uncertainty. Her post highlighted the human cost of tech layoffs and called for greater support for affected employees.
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.
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.
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.
8th Pay Commission: 6 key demands by Railway employee's body; better pay, merging of pay scales, hardship allowance and more
8th Pay Commission news: The All India Railwaymen's Federation has made significant recommendations to the 8th Pay Commission. Higher pay scales are proposed to match the Indian Railways' modernization efforts and working conditions. Special allowances have been requested due to the inherent risks and hardships faced by railway employees. The issues of female loco pilots and track maintainers have been highlighted for attention.
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
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.
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