Author: HR Talk

Microsoft is laying off around 9,000 employees—roughly 4% of its global workforce of 228,000—in a new round of job cuts. This move follows recent reports of planned layoffs in the Xbox division, though the company had not previously disclosed the full scale of the reductions. Media reports indicate this could be Microsoft’s largest layoff round in the past 18 months. What’s notable is that these cuts come despite the company reporting strong profits. Microsoft has described the layoffs as part of necessary “organizational changes” aimed at maintaining competitiveness in a “dynamic marketplace.” The job cuts will impact multiple departments and…

Semiconductor leader AMD is accelerating its hiring and infrastructure development in India, further strengthening the country’s role as a key global hub. Over the past three years, AMD has doubled its India headcount and now plans to surpass 10,000 employees in the coming years. India has become central to AMD’s global research and development operations, supported by a strong local talent pool and the company’s two-decade-long presence in the region. With engineering centres in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other tech hubs, AMD has built a robust leadership pipeline and deep technical expertise. In 2023, AMD announced a $400 million investment in…

While artificial intelligence (AI) has found widespread adoption in the workplace, a majority of employees feel it isn’t delivering on its much-hyped promise. According to the ‘Pulse of Work in 2025: Trends, Truths and the Practicality of AI’ report by GoTo and Workplace Intelligence, 78% of employees are using AI tools—ranging from free platforms like ChatGPT to enterprise solutions. Yet, many believe the return on investment is overstated. A striking 62% of employees say AI has been overhyped, while 57% believe its value and ROI are exaggerated. Moreover, 59% don’t believe AI will take over human jobs. The issue isn’t…

Global biopharmaceutical leader AstraZeneca has reinforced its footprint in India by expanding its global hub in Bangalore. The new facility, developed with an investment of ₹166 crore, will generate 400 new jobs and has the capacity to accommodate up to 1,300 employees. This expansion will bolster AstraZeneca’s capabilities in AI-driven research and development (R&D), global business services, information technology (IT), and digital health operations. It reflects the company’s growing commitment to leveraging India’s scientific and technological strengths to drive healthcare innovation. Just a year ago, AstraZeneca had also significantly expanded its Global Innovation and Technology Centre (GITC) in Chennai. Together,…

In a major push toward development and employment generation, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has greenlit 19 new projects worth ₹28,546 crore. These projects are expected to create 30,270 job opportunities across the state. Some of these initiatives will be based in Amaravati, where land acquisition is underway. Additionally, ₹2,733 crore has been earmarked for new infrastructure, including a 49-floor government tower. To further its employment agenda, the state has implemented the Andhra Pradesh Twenty Point Programme, targeting the creation of 20 lakh jobs for youth. In just one year, the government has successfully attracted investments worth ₹9.30 lakh crore. A…

Goldman Sachs has officially rolled out its generative AI assistant, GS AI Assistant, to its global workforce of 46,000 employees. The launch follows a successful pilot earlier this year involving 10,000 staff members and is part of the firm’s broader strategy to integrate AI-powered tools across its operations. Tailored to support diverse departmental needs, GS AI Assistant leverages multiple large language models—including OpenAI’s GPT-4, Google’s Gemini, and select open-source alternatives. All models are hosted internally to comply with the firm’s stringent data privacy and regulatory requirements. The assistant is capable of performing a wide range of tasks. It helps teams…

The Walt Disney Company has initiated a new wave of layoffs, impacting hundreds of employees across its global operations. Departments including film and television marketing, casting, publicity, development, and corporate finance are among those affected in this latest phase of job cuts. These layoffs are part of Disney’s broader cost-saving and restructuring initiative led by CEO Bob Iger. The company aims to save $7.5 billion as it continues to reshape its business around core priorities—most notably, its streaming services. Since the beginning of this overhaul last year, Disney has let go of approximately 7,000 employees. Unlike previous mass layoffs, the…

Indian quick commerce startup Zepto is under intense scrutiny following serious allegations of food safety violations and unhygienic working conditions. The controversy escalated after Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the company’s food business license for its Dharavi hub in Mumbai earlier this month. The suspension came after an FDA inspection uncovered multiple violations, including the presence of fungus-infected food items, unsanitary storage areas, expired goods stored alongside fresh produce, and improper cold-chain practices. These findings raised grave concerns about Zepto’s compliance with essential food safety norms. Matters worsened when a viral Reddit post by a former employee shed…

Panasonic, the Japanese electronics giant, has announced its exit from the Indian refrigerator and washing machine segments. Production of these appliances will be halted at the company’s Jhajjar plant in Haryana, marking a major restructuring effort. While the exact number of affected employees has not been officially revealed, layoffs are expected as part of this transition. The Jhajjar facility had been a key manufacturing hub, reportedly producing 4.5 lakh air conditioners, three lakh washing machines, and five lakh refrigerators annually. For over five decades, Panasonic has maintained a strong presence in the Indian market through its offerings in televisions, air…

China’s recent restrictions on the export of key rare-earth metals have triggered serious concerns in India’s electronics manufacturing sector, putting thousands of jobs at risk. According to the Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA), China’s tighter export controls on critical elements like terbium and dysprosium—vital to the audio electronics and wearables industry—have disrupted global supply chains and severely impacted Indian manufacturers. Previously, Indian companies imported these rare-earth elements from China to manufacture NdFeB (Neodymium-Iron-Boron) magnets, which are essential components in speakers, earbuds, and other electronic devices. However, with stricter licensing norms now in place, Indian firms are being forced to…