Author: HR Talk

The 18th edition of the BML Munjal Awards was presented today at the Mindmine Summit 2026 in New Delhi, recognising organisations that have demonstrated excellence in learning and development while delivering measurable impact for business, customers and society.   Unveiling of Braille (English) Edition of The Making of Hero at the 18th BML Munjal Awards Ceremony The winners of the 18th BML Munjal Awards were: Sustained Excellence: Tata Power Public Sector Undertaking (PSU): Engineers India Limited Private Sector Manufacturing: Minda Corporation Emerging Stars: Sagar Defence Engineering The Jury’s Special Mention Awards were presented to Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India…

Microsoft’s Xbox gaming division is reportedly considering organizational changes that could include workforce reductions as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and improve business performance. According to media reports, any potential changes are expected to be announced after the close of Microsoft’s fiscal year on June 30. Neither Microsoft nor Xbox has publicly confirmed the scope of the reported restructuring or the number of employees who could be affected. If implemented, the move would follow previous workforce reductions across Microsoft’s gaming operations. In 2025, Microsoft announced company-wide job cuts that affected several business units, including teams within its…

Three in ten employers (30%) spend more than eight hours each week compensating for workforce skills gaps. More than half (56%) of employers say entry-level workers aren’t prepared for work. 77% of employers in frontline-heavy industries say their skills training is effective – but 71% of employees say it had no impact on their pay or role. 45% of employers and more than one-third (35%) of employees say they have considered quitting due to stress caused by understaffing or skills gaps. More than one-quarter (26%) of employers say the skills gap in their sector is “serious” or at “crisis level.”…

Indian IT services company Infosys has postponed recruitment assessments for approximately 20,000 candidates after identifying instances of impersonation during its ongoing hiring process, according to reports. The assessments were being conducted as part of the company’s campus and off-campus recruitment programmes for entry-level positions. During routine monitoring and verification procedures, Infosys reportedly detected cases in which individuals other than registered applicants were suspected of taking the tests. The company has temporarily suspended the examinations while it reviews its recruitment procedures and strengthens candidate verification mechanisms. The assessments are expected to be rescheduled after additional safeguards are implemented. The postponement affects…

Public-sector banks expanded their workforce during the financial year ended March 31, 2026, with eight state-owned lenders collectively adding 13,223 employees, according to an analysis of their annual reports. The combined employee strength of the eight banks increased to 628,203 in FY26 from 614,980 in FY25, reflecting continued hiring across the sector despite ongoing investments in digital banking and automation. The analysis covered State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, Indian Bank, UCO Bank and Bank of Maharashtra. Annual reports for four other public-sector lenders—Punjab & Sind Bank, Union Bank of India,…

A US federal court has invalidated a $100,000 fee imposed on new H-1B visa applications, ruling that the measure exceeded executive authority and amounted to an unlawful tax without congressional approval. US District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled that the fee, introduced through a presidential proclamation in 2025, functioned as a tax rather than a regulatory charge. The court found that only Congress has the authority to impose such taxes and ordered the policy to be vacated nationwide. The fee had significantly increased the cost of obtaining new H-1B visas, a program widely used by US employers to hire skilled foreign…

German automaker Volkswagen is proceeding with a restructuring programme that includes significant workforce reductions and cost-cutting measures across its operations in Germany. According to details expected to be presented by Chief Executive Officer Oliver Blume at the company’s Annual General Meeting on June 18, Volkswagen aims to reduce its workforce in Germany by approximately 19,000 employees by the end of 2026. The planned reductions form part of a broader initiative focused on improving efficiency and strengthening competitiveness. The company has also set a longer-term objective of reducing more than 28,000 positions in Germany by 2030 as part of its transformation…

The Uttar Pradesh government has started the process of migrating official mobile connections used by approximately 4,200 employees at the Lucknow Secretariat from Vodafone Idea to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), according to reports. The transition affects employees across various departments and roles, including computer assistants, review officers, section officials, and senior administrative personnel. As part of the migration, BSNL has begun distributing new Closed User Group (CUG) SIM cards through the Secretariat’s Telephone Cell. The move follows the state government’s decision to shift its official telecommunications services to the state-owned telecom operator. However, the rollout has prompted concerns among…

Michael Page has released Hiring Through the Hype, its Talent Trends India 2026 report, part of a global study of 60,000 participants from over 170 countries. Three themes define the talent landscape this year: skills are overtaking credentials as the key hiring signal, AI is reshaping hiring for both clients & candidates and work-life balance has become the decisive factor in whether professionals move roles or stay put.   Nicholas Kirk, CEO, PageGroup   39 percent hiring managers are prioritising skills over education or career history pushing the candidates to apply for job adverts promoting skills, underscoring that capability now…

Freshworks is laying off around 11 per cent of its global workforce as part of a new restructuring initiative linked to operational changes and increased adoption of artificial intelligence across the company. According to multiple reports, the workforce reduction is expected to affect nearly 660 employees worldwide. The move comes even as the software company continues to report revenue growth. For the first quarter of FY2026, Freshworks reported revenue of $228.6 million, representing a 16 per cent year-on-year increase. The company also expects to incur restructuring-related expenses between $7 million and $9 million. Artificial intelligence is reportedly playing a central…