Author: Maya Singh

Deloitte is planning a significant expansion of its workforce in India, with the professional services firm aiming to add approximately 50,000 employees over the next few years, according to a senior company executive. The expansion would take Deloitte’s headcount in India beyond its current strength of around 1,40,000 employees, further strengthening the country’s role in the firm’s global operations. The plan was outlined by Romal Shetty, CEO, Deloitte South Asia, during his address at TiEcon Mangaluru 2026, held on 16 January. India already accounts for a substantial share of Deloitte’s global workforce. At present, about one in four Deloitte professionals…

A growing disconnect between job seekers and recruiters is reshaping the global hiring landscape in 2026. According to new research released by LinkedIn, nearly 80% of professionals feel unprepared to find a job, while two-thirds of recruiters say it has become harder to identify quality talent—highlighting a widening gap in the modern labor market. Despite rapid advances in hiring technology and artificial intelligence (AI), both sides of the employment equation report increasing pressure, uncertainty, and competition. Job Market Competition Intensifies LinkedIn data indicates that the labor market remains highly competitive, particularly in the United States, where the number of applicants…

Amazon has introduced a new internal system that provides managers and HR leaders with detailed insights into employee office attendance, marking a significant step in enforcing its return-to-office policy. The tool, quietly rolled out over the past month, leverages badge-swipe data to track how often employees come to the office, how long they stay, and whether they are at their assigned locations. The dashboard updates daily and monitors behaviour across an eight-week rolling period, allowing leaders to spot patterns rather than isolated visits. Previously, managers relied on fragmented reports and informal check-ins, but the new system consolidates attendance information in…

Zomato is taking a major step to enhance rider safety by introducing mandatory responsible driving training for its delivery partners and distributing over 2,000 BIS-certified helmets during National Road Safety Month. The training, spanning 1.5 to 2 hours, is led by traffic police and certified professionals, focusing on safe urban navigation, maintaining proper following distances, and anticipating road risks. Participants are also trained in the ‘Golden Hour’ protocol—the critical first hour after an accident where timely first aid can save lives—along with basic emergency response skills. Structured hands-on sessions will be conducted across multiple cities, including Chandigarh, Bangalore, Chennai, and…

Niva Bupa Health Insurance has launched a new workplace policy, Pink (Period) Leave, aimed at supporting women’s health and well-being. With this initiative, the company becomes one of the few organisations in India to formally recognise menstrual health as an essential aspect of employee care. Under the policy, all women employees across Niva Bupa’s India operations will be eligible for one day of paid Pink Leave each month. The leave is designed to help manage period-related challenges such as cramps, fatigue, migraines, and nausea. Leave is credited at the start of each month and must be used within the same…

Ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) on January 9, 2026, jointly announced a nationwide general strike scheduled for February 12, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Labour Codes. The unions stated that if the Central government does not repeal the codes, they would consider intensifying the protest into an indefinite strike. According to trade union representatives, the Labour Codes significantly weaken collective bargaining and reduce the influence of organised labour. They noted that nearly five nationwide strikes have already taken place since the Labour Codes were passed by Parliament around five years ago. At a recent national convention, union leaders accused…

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has reinforced its work-from-office (WFO) policy by linking office attendance compliance more closely with employee appraisal outcomes. As part of this approach, the company has paused final clearance of anniversary appraisals for certain employees who did not meet prescribed in-office attendance requirements during earlier quarters of the current financial year. According to internal communications cited in media reports, the appraisal process for affected employees may have been completed at the business or unit level but has not received final approval. As a result, the release of appraisal outcomes has been temporarily withheld. At TCS, anniversary appraisals…

Cloudhead Games, a virtual reality (VR) studio known for the rhythm-based shooter Pistol Whip, has announced a significant reduction in its workforce, with approximately 70 per cent of employees set to be laid off. The job cuts are scheduled to take effect on 7 January 2026 and represent one of the largest restructurings in the company’s history. The studio cited ongoing challenges in the global gaming industry, particularly within the VR segment, as the primary reason for the decision. According to the company, factors such as a prolonged industry slowdown, limited platform-level funding, and slower adoption of VR technology have…

The Punjab government has reported providing government employment to around 61,000 young people across the state over the past four years. At a recent event, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann distributed appointment letters to 606 newly selected candidates who will be joining the state’s Education Department. According to official details, the latest round of appointments includes 385 special education teachers, 157 primary teachers, eight principals, and 56 individuals appointed on compassionate grounds. The recruits have been selected from different parts of the state. The Chief Minister stated that all appointments made during the four-year period were carried out through a transparent,…

The Telangana government has approved the encashment of earned leave for employees of the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), bringing clarity to a long-pending issue related to service benefits. The decision was formalised through a government order issued on Monday, 29 December 2025. Until now, regular employees of NIMS were not eligible for earned leave encashment, even though their pay scales were aligned with those followed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The exclusion had been a longstanding concern among staff, who sought parity with other state government employees. Employee associations, including the Hospital Nursing Association,…