Author: Asher J

Infosys continued its steady talent expansion in the December quarter, adding over 5,000 employees and taking its total workforce to 3,37,034. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter of net hiring, highlighting the company’s consistent approach to building talent even as global clients remain cautious on technology spending. Over the past three quarters, Infosys has hired more than 13,000 employees, standing out in India’s IT services sector where many peers are slowing recruitment or trimming staff. The company attributes the continued growth in headcount to strong demand visibility in specific sectors and geographies where client spending remains stable. Employee retention also…

India’s fast-growing quick-commerce sector is rethinking one of its hallmark promises: ultra-fast delivery. Leading grocery and essentials delivery platforms have started removing references to “10-minute delivery” from their branding, following regulatory concerns over rider safety and working conditions. The shift comes after discussions between senior government officials and executives from major platforms, where attention moved from growth metrics to the pressures faced by delivery partners. Authorities highlighted that promoting extremely short delivery windows could encourage unsafe riding practices and increase stress among gig workers, particularly during peak hours. Several platforms have already revised their messaging, replacing ultra-short delivery promises with…

Meta is reportedly set to lay off 10% of its Reality Labs team this week, primarily affecting the metaverse division, as the company pivots its focus toward artificial intelligence (AI) development. Reality Labs, which comprises around 15,000 employees, has faced declining interest in its VR offerings, prompting the restructuring. Andrew Bosworth, head of Reality Labs, has called an “urgent” in-person meeting with the team, signaling the scale of the changes. Reports indicate that while Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have seen strong sales, demand for VR headsets has dropped, making the metaverse division increasingly unprofitable. Earlier, Meta had also announced plans…

Google and Microsoft are updating their employee appraisal frameworks, placing greater emphasis on the link between performance ratings and compensation outcomes. The changes reflect a broader trend among large technology companies toward more differentiated pay, bonus, and equity distribution based on individual contribution. Both companies continue to conduct annual performance reviews, but recent adjustments increase the focus on relative performance. At Google, the revised evaluation framework gives clearer priority to identifying top contributors. Under the updated system, employees rated in the highest performance categories are expected to receive the most favourable outcomes, while those in middle or lower bands may…

OpenAI is expected to offer unprecedented stock-based compensation to its workforce in 2025, marking a new benchmark in the private technology sector. With an estimated 4,000 employees, average equity payouts are projected to reach around $1.5 million per person, making it one of the highest recorded levels for a startup of its size. The move reflects intense competition in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, where leading labs are vying to attract and retain a limited pool of skilled researchers, engineers, and product leaders. According to reports, OpenAI has adjusted its equity policies, accelerated vesting schedules, and introduced substantial one-time grants…

Kochi-based airline Alhind Air has placed approximately 120 employees on leave without pay, citing delays in obtaining the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), according to media reports. The decision, which takes effect from 15 November 2025, was initially communicated verbally to employees last month. A formal written notice was issued recently after some staff members requested official confirmation. In its communication, the airline stated that salaries would not be paid during the leave period, invoking a “no work, no pay” policy. Alhind Air said it is awaiting the DGCA’s approval to commence commercial…

OpenAI has opened applications for a senior leadership position titled Head of Preparedness, offering an annual compensation of up to $555,000, according to published job listings. The role will focus on identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence systems. Key areas of responsibility include assessing threats to cybersecurity, mental health, and broader societal safety as AI capabilities continue to evolve. OpenAI has indicated that the position is critical due to the rapid development of increasingly powerful AI models and the growing potential for misuse. The selected candidate will be responsible for ensuring that AI technologies are deployed…

Google is increasingly hiring former employees to strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) teams, with returning professionals accounting for nearly 20 per cent of new hires in key AI roles in 2025, according to industry reports. The approach reflects a strategic response to intensifying global competition for advanced AI talent. After several rounds of workforce restructuring in recent years, the company has adjusted its hiring strategy to prioritise professionals who are already familiar with its engineering practices, internal systems and organisational culture. These returning employees are being placed across major generative AI initiatives. Their prior experience at Google allows them to…

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is preparing to strengthen its performance-linked compensation framework by offering bonus payouts of up to 50 per cent of annual salary to its top-performing employees in 2026. The move reflects the company’s sharper focus on rewarding individual impact as competition for skilled talent intensifies across the global technology sector. The proposed bonus structure is expected to follow a tiered model, with the highest payouts reserved for employees who consistently deliver strong results and contribute to key business priorities. The initiative forms part of ByteDance’s broader people strategy, aimed at retaining high-impact contributors while reinforcing…

The Calcutta High Court has ruled that a company can recover proven financial losses caused by an employee from their gratuity, even after retirement, if such recovery is permitted under the organisation’s service rules. The case involved a former chairman and managing director (CMD) of MSTC against whom disciplinary proceedings were initiated before his retirement. The company accused him of negligence that allegedly resulted in a financial loss of ₹10 lakh. Following the disciplinary action, MSTC withheld his gratuity and later ordered that the pecuniary loss be recovered from the gratuity amount. Challenging the decision, the employee argued that gratuity…