WORKFORCE
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.
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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).
Cognizant commits over 25,000 professionals to Anthropic's Claude delivery
The group is focused on execution excellence, transformation and client success, with the scale to take AI from pilot to production across enterprises' core operations, the Nasdaq-listed IT company said.
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.
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.
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BPO jobs on a seesaw as bots call the shots
Voice AI is driving call centres even as hiring grows, but the shift towards complex tasks leaves freshers scrambling for a new career ladder.

Boeing layoffs: Which department will be affected and why will it cut 5% of its workforce? Here's what we know
Boeing will eliminate the posts through a mix of layoffs and attrition. The reason is because of a slower ramp-up to 'provide our factories and supply chain partners additional time to achieve stability,' said a message to employees from Stephanie Pope. The development comes just two weeks after Boeing said it was delaying plans to increase production of its 737 Max narrowbody jet into 2027.

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.
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.

Gurgaon offices calling more than half of staff to office, violating 50% WFH rule, will be issued show-cause notices; employees can complain on 112
Gurgaon administration has opened two helplines, including 112, for residents to report companies violating the 50% work-from-home requirement. Anonymous complaints will trigger inspections. The move follows show-cause notices to law firms Trilegal and JSA after inspections found more than 60% of their employees working from office.

DA hike: Diwali bonanza for UP govt employees, 63% raise announced; revised rates effective from July 1
The revised allowance will be reflected in the November salary, while the arrears for the preceding four months will be deposited separately into their provident fund accounts. The announcement comes ahead of Diwali, with the revised allowance set to benefit a large section of the state's workforce.

Pro Kannada outfit meets Bengaluru airport firms, presses for higher local hiring
Kannada Rakshana Vedike held discussions to address local hiring concerns with companies at Kempegowda International Airport. KRV president T.A. Narayana Gowda emphasised the need for fair employment opportunities for Kannadigas. Several organisations participated in the meeting and expressed commitment to increase local hiring. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar encouraged private employers to utilise Karnataka's talent pool more effectively. The organisation plans further outreach to enhance employment for locals in various sectors.

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.

Women must feel safe using cabs for worry-free career, NCW chief says: Report
The National Commission for Women has recommended strict safety measures for women using app-based cabs. These include driver background checks and emergency response systems to improve safety during rides. The growing presence of women in various sectors highlights the need for these guidelines. Rahatkar emphasises that safety concerns should not hinder women's professional growth in the workforce.

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).

GCCs ramp up hiring for AI, data, cybersecurity professionals; face talent shortage: Report
India's GCCs are directing a greater share of technology recruitment towards specialists who can deploy AI, manage data and secure enterprise systems, according to the India GCC Tech Talent Landscape - Q2 FY27 Report by staffing and workforce solutions provider Quess Corp.

After laying off thousands, Meta now offers voluntary exit packages like Google and Microsoft. Here's all you need to know
Meta has launched a voluntary exit programme in France, designed to reorganize its team while pivoting towards artificial intelligence development. This attractive package includes severance pay, mobility leave, and extensive career support for transitioning employees. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the tech industry, as companies like Google and Microsoft are also adopting similar voluntary separation strategies. Employees wishing to participate must apply by November 5.

AI, data, cybersecurity lead tech hiring with 30.3% share in September quarter
In India, the demand for roles in AI, data, and cybersecurity within Global Capability Centers (GCCs) has surged, even amid a slight overall hiring decline. AI and data professional roles saw a 14% increase quarter-on-quarter, while cybersecurity positions grew by 12%. Notably, tier-2 cities like Coimbatore achieved a remarkable 30% growth. By 2030, the GCC workforce in India is projected to reach between 2.7 and 2.8 million.

Tata Power Renewables commissions 300 MW project for SECI in Karnataka
Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd has successfully commissioned a 300 MW solar project located in Koppal, Karnataka. This project is expected to generate approximately 810 MUs of renewable energy each year. The project will assist in reducing around 103,820 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Notably, about 16 women professionals represent nearly 40 percent of the workforce employed at the site.

AI to reshape India's office space demand, workforce seen at 48 million by 2030: Report
AI is expected to change the nature of India's office space demand rather than reduce it, with the country's office-using workforce projected to grow from around 38 million in 2025 to 48 million by 2030, according to a study by Cushman & Wakefield.

India’s IT sector needs a new talent architecture
Growing demand for AI-related services is challenging providers, as they struggle to generate significant revenue. Companies must redesign their workforce models to capture opportunities in an AI-driven market. Existing talent architectures focus on old skill sets and hierarchies, which are becoming less relevant. Investing in specialized roles and capabilities will better align with the new market demands.

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.

Gig workers may get social security benefits through 2% transaction levy on businesses
The government is considering implementing a 2% transaction-based levy on aggregators to support social security for gig workers. This levy will fund benefits such as insurance, health, and maternity support for over 12 million workers. There is a consensus that this approach ensures fairness among different types of aggregators. The new scheme is expected to be launched in 2027, requiring gig workers to meet specific work criteria.

ETtech Explainer: Food delivery, ride-hailing firms differ on gig worker welfare levy calculation
Food delivery and quick-commerce companies such as Zomato and Swiggy are seeking a levy based on the value of transactions facilitated through their platforms, while cab and bike-taxi aggregators such as Uber and Rapido want it to be calculated on their own turnover rather than the total value of rides facilitated.

Canva to cut about 22% of staff as growth slowdown triggers restructuring
Australian graphic design platform Canva Group said on Wednesday it would cut 1,271 jobs, or about 22% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring after growth slowed for the first time in a decade.

NTT Data to nearly triple Mangaluru workforce to over 2,500 by 2027
The company entered Mangaluru through its acquisition of local cloud engineering company Niveus Solutions, and is looking to use the city as a base for developing specialised technology capabilities. Its focus areas include healthcare and life sciences, automotive, manufacturing, high technology, AI and data.

You can't eat your viksit cake and...
A devastating fire in an Indian factory has claimed four lives, igniting a serious discussion around worker safety standards. This tragic event underscores the urgency for comprehensive inspections and rigorous safety regulations across all manufacturing sectors. To solidify its standing as a developed economy, India must prioritize the enforcement of unwavering safety protocols while striving to harmonize productivity with the well-being of its workforce.

Centre to tap IITs, NITs for nuclear tech courses to power India's 100 GW dream
India is addressing the workforce challenge posed by its 100GW nuclear power goal through new courses. Leading technical institutes like IITs and NITs are expected to introduce nuclear tech programs. A dedicated institute for nuclear technology training is also being planned as workforce development efforts gain momentum. Current estimates show that 2.5 lakh skilled personnel will be needed in the coming two decades.
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