Author: HR Talk

The Indian government’s draft Income-Tax Rules, 2026 propose changes that could impact salaried employees by increasing tax-free allowances on meal benefits while raising the taxable value of certain company-provided perks. Higher Tax-Free Limit on Meal Vouchers Under the draft proposal, the tax-exempt limit for meal vouchers and subsidised office meals may increase from ₹50 per meal to ₹200 per meal. If implemented, eligible employees could potentially claim up to ₹1.05 lakh per year as tax-free benefits, subject to the conditions of their chosen tax regime. This move is expected to benefit employees who use meal cards or digital vouchers issued…

Capgemini is planning to reduce its workforce in France by up to 2,400 employees as part of a broader restructuring programme aimed at aligning its operations with changing client demand, particularly in areas related to artificial intelligence and digital services. The planned reduction would affect nearly 7 per cent of Capgemini’s workforce in France and is expected to be implemented primarily through voluntary departure programmes, according to people familiar with the matter. Employees impacted by the move may either leave the company or be reskilled and redeployed into areas where demand is stronger, including data engineering, cloud services and artificial…

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced a landmark move to protect the rights of elderly parents. Under a proposed law, government employees who neglect their parents will have 10% of their salary directly transferred to their parents’ bank accounts. The initiative underscores the state government’s commitment to senior citizen welfare. Reddy unveiled several welfare measures while launching the free distribution of assistive devices—including motorised vehicles, battery tricycles, wheelchairs, laptops, hearing aids, and mobile phones—for persons with disabilities (PwD). The government has allocated Rs 50 crore for these schemes and will also set up daycare centres named Pranaam for…

The growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is continuing to reshape business operations, but it is also contributing to ongoing uncertainty around employment across sectors. Even as the global economy is expected to remain broadly stable, job security may remain under pressure in 2026 as companies increasingly turn to automation to manage costs and improve efficiency. According to media reports citing a recent analysis by Goldman Sachs, AI-driven restructuring is expected to continue into next year. This is occurring even as investor sentiment toward companies announcing large-scale layoffs has softened compared with earlier periods. The analysis highlights a disconnect between…

Intel has eliminated 59 positions across three of its facilities in Santa Clara, California, as part of its previously announced plan to reduce its global workforce by about 15 per cent. All 59 roles were classified as permanent, according to a regulatory filing. The layoffs took effect on 30 November and were disclosed in a notice submitted to California’s Employment Development Department. Reports indicate the filing was made late last month. The largest number of job cuts—45 positions—occurred at Intel’s main corporate campus on Mission College Boulevard. An additional three roles were eliminated at the Bowers Avenue office, while 11…

As artificial intelligence and automation continue to transform job roles across industries, companies are significantly increasing investments in upskilling and continuous learning to future-proof their workforces. HR leaders say that skill development is no longer an optional part of talent strategy — it has become a business imperative. Experts note that traditional hiring models relying on degrees and past experience are giving way to skills-based workforce planning, where employees are assessed on real capabilities and growth potential. Organizations are now prioritizing internal training programs, AI literacy, digital skill development, and leadership training to keep pace with evolving job requirements. Industry…

The Government of India has launched the Employee Enrolment Scheme 2025 with the objective of encouraging workforce formalisation and simplifying business processes. The scheme allows employers to voluntarily declare and register eligible employees who have not been previously enrolled with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Under the new initiative, employers will not be required to pay the employees’ share of provident fund contributions if these were not deducted earlier. Instead, they will only need to pay a nominal fine of ₹100. The scheme, which was announced in the second week of October 2025, officially came into effect on November…

In a significant workforce reduction move, General Motors (GM) is set to lay off approximately 1,750 employees across its electric vehicle (EV) and battery production plants in the United States. The job cuts are being attributed to slower-than-expected growth in EV demand and the company’s efforts to streamline production and control costs. Plants and Job Impact The layoffs will primarily affect two major facilities — the Factory Zero assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan, and the Ultium Cells battery plant in Warren, Ohio. Both units are operated jointly by General Motors and LG Energy Solutions. According to reports, about 1,200 workers…

Global tech firms increasingly hire from India’s Tier-3 colleges, survey finds

New Delhi: In a significant move toward improving workplace conditions, the Ministry of Finance has instructed public-sector banks (PSBs) to develop immediate action plans to tackle employee stress, excessive working hours, and staffing shortages. The directive underscores the government’s growing focus on mental and physical well-being within the banking workforce and aims to promote a more sustainable and supportive work environment across state-run institutions. According to reports, the ministry’s intervention follows months of representations from bank unions and officers’ associations, who have raised concerns about rising workloads, expanding non-banking responsibilities, and ambitious business targets. The Finance Ministry has directed bank…