Author: Maya Singh

India now represents about 20 per cent of the global workforce involved in chip design and VLSI, according to a senior Intel executive, highlighting the country’s growing role in the semiconductor industry. Speaking at SEMICON India 2026, Iyengar, senior vice president, Fellow and general manager of Intel’s Central Engineering Group, said more than 85,000 semiconductor-related skill sets had been developed in India over the past four years. The comments come as India expands its semiconductor ecosystem, with investments in chip manufacturing, design and related technologies increasing demand for specialised engineering talent. According to Iyengar, more than 355 universities across India…

Meta has suspended an internal programme intended to collect data on how employees use computers, following concerns over workplace privacy and the possible use of the data to automate certain tasks. The programme, known as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), was developed by Meta’s artificial intelligence division TBD. Its objective was to collect computer-use data that could help researchers develop AI systems capable of carrying out routine tasks on computers. According to reports, the programme involved collecting information about activities such as keystrokes, mouse movements and screen interactions. Meta’s AI teams viewed this type of employee-generated data as potentially useful…

The Mumbai Suburban District Consumer Commission has directed the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to pay interest to a retired employee after finding a delay in the settlement of his provident fund claim. The case involved a former employee of Fleet Maritime Services (India), who submitted a provident fund claim of ₹14,06,272 on October 19, 2016. Under the Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, eligible PF claims are generally required to be settled within 20 days. In this case, however, the amount was credited to the claimant’s account on December 14, 2016. EPFO disputed the allegation of delay. The organisation argued…

Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) plans to increase the share of women in its executive workforce to 20 per cent by 2030, as the automaker expands its focus on workplace diversity, career development and women’s participation across the organisation. Women currently represent more than 8 per cent of HMIL’s executive workforce, which comprises more than 4,000 employees. At the entry level, the company is seeing a stronger gender mix, with women accounting for around 45 per cent of management trainees and engineer trainees recruited in 2026. Women’s Participation Expands Across Functions HMIL said women’s representation is increasing across several areas of…

Samsung India has reportedly started reducing its workforce in its television and home appliance businesses as the company undertakes a restructuring aimed at controlling costs and protecting profitability. Around 80 to 100 executives have reportedly been asked to leave in phases, according to industry sources. The employees affected are said to include senior officials, team leaders, branch managers and area managers. Employees Reportedly Asked to Leave in Batches According to reports, termination letters are being issued to employees in small batches, with some workers receiving them without a notice period. The reported severance package includes three months of salary, along…

Amazon is facing a proposed nationwide class-action lawsuit in the US over allegations that the company denied pregnant employees workplace accommodations and penalised workers for taking time off for pregnancy-related needs. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Brooklyn by four former Amazon warehouse employees. The plaintiffs allege that the company failed to provide reasonable workplace support during pregnancy and took adverse employment action against workers who needed time away from their jobs. Amazon has disputed the allegations, saying the accounts presented in the lawsuit contain inaccuracies and omit important details. Lawsuit Alleges Denial of Workplace Accommodations According to…

Chennai-based real estate developer Casagrand has introduced an 8 AM to 4 PM work schedule for its employees, moving away from conventional office timings as part of its focus on employee wellbeing and work-life balance. The new workday is designed to help employees manage their professional responsibilities while creating more time for family, fitness and personal activities. The initiative brings an early-start, early-finish approach to the fast-paced real estate industry. New Office Timings Aim to Reduce Workday Stress Casagrand’s revised schedule gives employees an eight-hour working day, beginning at 8 AM and ending at 4 PM. The company’s approach is…

India’s white-collar recruitment market recorded a strong year-on-year improvement in August, with hiring activity rising 14 per cent, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak Index. The growth was led by the automotive, healthcare and retail sectors, signalling broader momentum across the job market. The Naukri JobSpeak Index climbed to 3,028 in August 2026, compared with 2,664 in the same month last year. Hiring activity improved across both IT and non-IT industries, while demand increased across different experience levels. Auto, Healthcare and Retail Drive Hiring Growth The automotive sector recorded the strongest growth among major industries, with hiring increasing 19 per…

Pune, 10th September 2026: POWERCON Group, a global leader in renewable energy asset creation and management, has appointed Ravindra Chauhan as Senior Management Officer – Business Development. The appointment reinforces POWERCON’s commercial leadership as it expands across India’s fast-growing renewable energy sector. Ravindra brings 22 years of leadership experience in wind energy and engineering, spanning business development, strategic customer engagement, engineering services, and operations & maintenance. He has held senior roles at Suzlon, Senvion, and InoxWind, where he drove business growth and supported large-scale renewable energy portfolios. In his new role, Ravindra will support POWERCON’s business development function, working closely…

Microsoft is reportedly keeping a closer watch on employee use of artificial intelligence tools after internal data showed significant differences in monthly AI consumption across departments. The figures were reportedly collected through a voluntary spreadsheet in which employees share information including salaries, bonuses and AI usage. According to reports, around 600 US-based employees contributed to the spreadsheet, with approximately 350 providing details about their AI consumption. The median reported monthly AI usage was around $300, although spending varied considerably between teams. Employees in Microsoft’s CoreAI division recorded a median usage of about $975, followed by Security at $526, Microsoft AI…