Author: HR Talk

“We don’t just include women—we elevate them as central architects of transformation,” says Madhu Srivastava, Chief Human Resources Officer at Vedanta. With this powerful declaration, she encapsulates the company’s commitment to reimagining India’s industrial landscape. Vedanta has set a bold goal: by 2030, women will make up 30% of its workforce. But this is more than a number—it’s a mission to redesign the workplace so that ambition and personal life complement each other. Through progressive HR policies that remove invisible barriers, Vedanta is fostering a culture where women can thrive—at home and in the field. In an industry historically dominated…

Japanese automaker Nissan is reportedly preparing to cut around 20,000 jobs—double the number previously estimated—as part of an expanded global restructuring effort. This potential 15% reduction of its 1.33 lakh-strong workforce follows continued business struggles, including poor sales in China and the US, intensifying competition from Chinese EV manufacturers, and profit-eroding US tariffs. In November 2024, Nissan had initially planned to let go of around 9,000 employees. However, mounting financial pressure and a bleak growth outlook have pushed the company toward more drastic measures. Shareholders were informed in April 2025 that Nissan is expecting net losses between $4.74 billion and…

Luxury fashion house Burberry has announced plans to cut approximately 1,700 jobs worldwide—nearly 20% of its global workforce—as part of an ambitious cost-reduction strategy to be completed by 2027. The announcement follows a reported financial loss of £66 million in the last fiscal year, highlighting mounting pressures on the iconic British brand. The cuts will impact both corporate and manufacturing functions, with a significant portion concentrated in the UK, where the company employs the majority of its staff. The restructuring will also affect Burberry’s Castleford factory in West Yorkshire, renowned for producing its signature trench coats, which retail for as…

Emirates Airline has announced an extraordinary bonus for its workforce after reporting a record profit of $6.2 billion for the financial year 2023–24. In a generous move, the airline will reward its 120,000 employees with a bonus equivalent to 22 weeks’ basic salary, reflecting approximately 42% of their annual base pay. The payout will benefit all employees, including ground staff and flight crew, regardless of rank or tenure. The exact bonus amount will vary per individual, as it excludes other income such as hourly payments for cabin crew. However, it is expected to be a significant sum for most staff,…

Panasonic has announced a sweeping global restructuring plan that will see approximately 10,000 jobs eliminated—around 4% of its 230,000-strong workforce. The job cuts will be evenly divided between Japan and overseas operations as the company seeks to streamline its structure and enhance efficiency amid slowing demand and changing market dynamics. The Osaka-headquartered electronics giant has launched early retirement programs in Japan and is shutting down or consolidating several facilities worldwide. The restructuring aims to create a leaner, more agile organization capable of responding to market shifts. Panasonic, known for its wide range of products including home appliances, EV batteries, facial-recognition…

Microsoft has taken a decisive stance against the use of the DeepSeek app by its employees, citing serious concerns over data privacy and the risk of exposure to propaganda. The company has officially banned the app across all employee devices—both desktop and mobile—due to how DeepSeek manages user data. The core issue lies in the app’s data storage practices. All user data is stored on servers located in China, where local laws permit government access at any time. For a global company like Microsoft, this presents a major risk to the confidentiality of internal and sensitive information. Adding to the…

ybersecurity firm CrowdStrike has announced plans to lay off 500 employees, representing about 5% of its global workforce, as part of a strategic move to boost operational efficiency and position the company for future growth. The layoffs, which will occur in phases, are intended to help CrowdStrike scale its business with increased focus and discipline, as it works toward its ambitious goal of reaching $10 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR). Despite reporting strong financial results, the company is realigning its workforce to support long-term objectives. Notably, CrowdStrike still plans to hire selectively, with new positions expected in high-priority areas…

Google has laid off approximately 200 employees from its global business unit, which oversees sales and partnerships, as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at enhancing collaboration and improving customer service. This move follows an earlier round of job cuts in April, when hundreds of employees from the company’s platforms and devices division—responsible for Android, Chrome, and Pixel—were also let go. That restructuring stemmed from Google’s efforts to boost agility and operational efficiency after merging the platforms and devices teams in 2024. The consolidation led to both layoffs and voluntary retirement programs earlier this year. Like many major tech…

In today’s digital age, transparency is vital, yet a concerning phenomenon has emerged: the rise of ghost jobs. These positions, advertised but never truly intended to be filled, are becoming an increasing issue in the job market, deceiving candidates and undermining trust in hiring processes. What Are Ghost Jobs? Ghost jobs are job listings that are posted by companies with no intention of hiring for those roles. They serve a variety of purposes such as maintaining visibility on job boards, testing job descriptions, building a talent pool, or projecting a false image of robust hiring activity—especially during hiring freezes. In…

As HR continues to evolve from a transactional function to a strategic driver of business success, technology is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of work. In 2025, AI-powered HR tools are leading the way—automating tasks like resume screening, candidate sourcing, and even interview scheduling. Predictive analytics is being widely used to forecast employee attrition, skill gaps, and workforce planning needs. Additionally, integrated HR platforms now offer end-to-end solutions, combining payroll, benefits, onboarding, and performance tracking under one dashboard, allowing HR teams to focus more on employee experience and less on administrative tasks. This integration ensures seamless data…