Accenture has told senior staff that promotions will now depend on how much they use artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work. The company sent emails to associate directors and senior managers saying that moving into leadership roles will require “regular adoption” of AI tools. In short, if you don’t use AI, you may not get promoted. This push comes as Accenture, like Microsoft, Google, and Meta, shifts strongly toward an AI-driven future. At the India AI Impact Summit, Julie Sweet, CEO, Accenture, reportedly said companies must reinvent how they operate and reshape their workforces to keep up with AI.…
Author: HRK News Bureau
Retail jobs in the UK are under pressure because the cost of employing people is rising fast. A survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reportedly shows that finance leaders in retail are increasingly worried about labour costs, especially since the Employment Rights Act came into force in January. Confidence among retail finance officers has dropped sharply. Nearly 70 per cent now feel pessimistic about the year ahead, compared with 56 per cent last summer. Only 14 per cent feel optimistic. Many expect the 2025 Budget to make investment harder. Labour costs are the biggest concern, with 84 per cent…
Wells Fargo, the diversified, community-based financial services company, has elevated Padmavathi AV to vice president-human resource business partner. Padmavathi has been with Wells Fargo since 2023 when she joined as senior human resources consultant. Equipped with an MBA in Human Resources from Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship, Padmavathi AV joined Ashok Leyland as HR deputy manager-leadership development and succession planning, in May of 2015. Two years and three months into this role, she was promoted to HR manager, organisation development (employee engagement and diversity and inclusion), in July of 2017. By 2019 she became manager-HR business partner (corporate functions).…
Volkswagen is preparing a sweeping restructuring plan that could see 35,000 jobs cut in Germany by 2030, according to reports. The move is part of a broader push to reduce costs by 20% across all brands by 2028, as Europe’s largest carmaker faces rising expenses, tougher competition in China, and the impact of U.S. tariffs. In January, Volkswagen’s core brand announced plans to trim management roles and consolidate production platforms to save about €1 billion ($1.2 billion). Oliver Blume, chief executive and Arno Antlitz, finance chief. outlined the larger savings plan during a closed-door meeting with senior executives in Berlin.…
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, accusing the company of sex discrimination. Why? Well, the company hosted a networking event that excluded men. This is the first time that the agency has taken legal action targeting workplace diversity programmes under the present US administration. The case was filed in federal court in New Hampshire, and centres on a two-day event held in September 2024 at a Connecticut casino. Around 250 women employees attended, participating in team-building activities, social events, and sessions with company executives. The women were excused from regular work…
Prashant Patankar has moved from Colgate-Palmolive to JioBlackRock Investment Advisers, to head HR. Armed with a master’s degree in Labour Studies from the Maharashtra Institute of Labour Studies, this commerce graduate spent over two years with Capgemini as executive-HRD in the initial years of his career. In October of 2007, he joined BA Continuum as assistant manager-HR. March of 2008 was witness to Prashant Patankar taking up the role of assistant manager-HR integration and business partner, Standard Chartered Bank, working out of Mumbai. He was elevated to HR business partner -retail business, technology, support and governance functions, in 2011. Another…
The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has approved an amendment to the state’s Shops and Establishments Act, introducing longer work hours and permitting women to work night shifts under strict safety conditions. The new law raises the maximum daily working limit from nine to ten hours, including rest breaks, and increases the overtime ceiling per quarter. This change is expected to give employers greater operational flexibility, especially in fast-growing sectors such as retail, logistics, and services. A key provision allows women to work between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., provided they consent and employers meet mandatory safeguards. These include secure transport, adequate…
India’s employers and workers have launched a joint roadmap for responsible business conduct. This collaboration aims to strengthen labour standards and workplace inclusion. In relation to this, employers’ and workers’ organisations in India have unveiled a Bipartite Roadmap to advance Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), marking a milestone in promoting decent work and aligning national practices with international labour standards. The roadmap was presented in New Delhi in the presence of Gilbert F Houngbo, director-general, International Labour Organisation (ILO). Developed through a year-long structured dialogue, the roadmap sets out shared priorities and joint actions across enterprises, including MSMEs. Key focus areas…
RSPL Group, the Indian FMCG conglomerate behind Ghadi detergents, has taken a major step toward inclusive manufacturing by transforming its Chaubepur unit into a women-led facility. Over the past ten months, the plant in Uttar Pradesh has significantly increased female participation, moving women from informal work into secure, formal employment with statutory benefits. The detergent division now produces around 360 metric tonnes per day, while the soap division delivers 173 metric tonnes daily. Production lines have been designed for operational ease, integrating smart processes and modern technology to support efficiency. Women employees are at the core of these operations, demonstrating…
The Dutch job market, already strained, now faces additional instability as companies accelerate reorganisations to remain competitive. The Netherlands is facing a sharp rise in layoffs as companies across multiple sectors reorganise to cope with rising costs, inflation, falling revenues, and competitive pressures. Economists note that workforce reductions are often the fastest way for firms to cut expenses, and employers warn that job cuts are likely to continue in the coming months. By the end of last year, the benefits agency UWV received 355 reorganisation notices, the highest in a decade. The layoffs span industries including chemicals, finance, education, business…
Concept Medical Group brought together employees from across the organisation for an event where they played tournament-style matches and celebrated wins as a team. The two-day event called Momentum 6.0 was the sixth edition of the global medical device company’s annual sports fest, held in Surat, India. The celebration saw employees collaborating for high-energy competitions, camaraderie and connection. Momentum 6.0 reflects Concept Medical’s commitment to building a people-first workplace grounded in trust, inclusion and a strong sense of belonging. The tournament-style matches across cricket, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, chess and carrom began after a proper opening ceremony as well as…
Starting April 2026, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will roll out a new mobile app designed to make provident fund (PF) transactions faster and easier. The app will allow subscribers to withdraw PF money directly through UPI, with funds transferred instantly to their bank accounts. One of the key features is auto-settlement of claims up to Rs 5 lakh, reducing the long wait times that members often face. The app will also provide a clear breakdown of PF balances, showing both the amount available for withdrawal and the portion that is locked or frozen. The app will integrate with…
Tamilnad Mercantile Bank is preparing to reposition a large section of its workforce toward revenue-generating roles as it accelerates a technology-driven transformation. The lender plans to retrain employees rather than reduce headcount, signalling a strategic pivot toward growth without layoffs. Over the next two years, the bank expects nearly 50–60 per cent of its staff to transition into sales-focused positions. The shift will be supported by automation initiatives that are reducing repetitive manual tasks and freeing employees for customer-facing responsibilities. Despite these operational changes, the total workforce is projected to expand by more than 200 employees from the current base…
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced a new directive requiring private-sector companies to create structured workplace- training programmes for Saudi graduates and job seekers. The regulation applies to businesses with at least 50 employees and is designed to improve workforce preparedness while strengthening the country’s vocational training ecosystem. Under the updated framework, qualifying companies must train a minimum of two per cent of their workforce each year. The programmes are expected to run between two and six months and focus on building practical skills that support smoother entry into the labour market. The rules include special provisions…
Netflix has inaugurated a new headquarters in Mexico City, signalling a deeper investment in the country’s fast-growing audiovisual sector. The facility underscores the streamer’s long-term strategy to strengthen partnerships with local creators while expanding its operational footprint in the region. The company first established a presence in Mexico about 15 years ago and has steadily scaled its activities since then. Last year, the streaming giant committed $1 billion toward producing films and series in the country over a four-year period, highlighting Mexico’s importance within its global content pipeline. Spanning roughly 8,500 square metres, the new office has been designed to…
SMIFS Financial Services has named Pankaj Adhav as head-human resources, reinforcing its leadership bench as the firm advances its people and transformation agenda. The move underscores the company’s intent to build a future-ready workforce while aligning talent priorities with long-term business expansion. In his new role, Adhav will lead talent acquisition, performance management, employee engagement and HR transformation initiatives. He is tasked with strengthening leadership pipelines, enhancing HR frameworks and driving structured workforce planning to support the firm’s evolving growth strategy. Adhav currently heads Human Resources Development at SMIFS, where he is focused on establishing and scaling a pan-India wealth…
Alde Medi Impex has appointed Parag Bhatnagar as vice president-human resources, reinforcing its leadership structure as the company sharpens its focus on people-led growth and organisational capability. The appointment is aligned with Alde Medi Impex’s broader strategy to strengthen talent systems while supporting expansion and operational readiness. Based at the company’s corporate office in Delhi, Bhatnagar will lead the HR function for both the corporate setup and the company’s upcoming manufacturing facility in Kashipur, Uttarakhand. His role will centre on streamlining HR processes, refining policies and building a performance-driven culture. He is also expected to drive employer-branding initiatives aimed at…
Uttar Pradesh has recorded a significant increase in female labour force participation, with the rate climbing from 14 per cent in 2017-18 to 36 per cent in 2023-24, according to recent government data based on the Women Economic Empowerment Index. The jump of 22 percentage points is being viewed as more than a numerical gain. This reflects a gradual shift in social attitudes and economic opportunities, as more women enter diverse sectors and contribute actively to the state’s growth. Despite the progress, the state still trails the national female labour force participation rate, which stood at 45 per cent in…
Sanofi has announced plans to expand its global capability centre in Hyderabad, signalling continued confidence in India’s talent ecosystem. The French drugmaker said the facility will grow to employ more than 4,500 people, up from its current workforce of over 2,600. The expansion will be backed by a multi-hundred-million-dollar investment, although the company has not revealed the exact figure or a timeline for the hiring push. The move builds on earlier commitments made in 2024, when the biopharmaceutical major outlined plans to invest 400 million euros in its India capability centre by the end of the decade. New roles are…
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has issued fresh guidance on annual leave policies, bringing clarity to how unused vacation days can be carried forward. The update comes as many employees review their time-off plans and discuss leave arrangements with employers. Under the country’s labour framework, workers are entitled to a minimum of 30 days of fully-paid annual leave after completing one year of service. Those who have spent more than six months but less than a year with an organisation accumulate leave at a rate of two days per month. Once the one-year mark is reached, the full leave…
Karnataka is preparing to introduce a new law aimed at strengthening the safety of government employees by making assault, intimidation and damage to public property non-bailable offences. The proposed legislation would impose stricter penalties, including imprisonment of up to three years and fines that could reach Rs 50,000. The move follows growing concern within the administration over incidents that have disrupted official work and affected public-service delivery. Authorities believe a stronger legal framework is necessary to deter misconduct and ensure that government personnel can perform their duties without fear or interference. The draft bill has been shaped in part by…
Sony Pictures Networks India has reduced its employee strength by more than 100 people as part of an ongoing restructuring exercise. The move underscores the growing cost pressures faced by broadcasters in a subdued advertising market. The job cuts are understood to span several functions and teams, forming part of a broader effort to realign costs and streamline operations. Industry sources indicate that the exercise may eventually impact close to a tenth of the company’s overall workforce. The reductions are spread across departments, while the digital streaming business, SonyLIV, is said to have remained largely unaffected. Middle- and senior- management…
Ahmedabad-based IRM Group has appointed Richa Ahuja Sharma as head–HR & administration, reinforcing its leadership bench as the organisation accelerates growth across its diversified non-pharma businesses. The move comes at a time when the group is working to integrate its expanding operations under a cohesive strategy with stronger workforce planning and operational alignment. In her new role, Sharma will lead human resources and administrative functions across multiple business verticals. The group’s portfolio includes agriculture, animal health, pharma engineering, facilities management and aviation support. Her mandate will focus on aligning people strategy with business priorities, strengthening leadership capability and building scalable…
Paras Health has named Balkishan Sharma as its chief human resources & business transformation officer, signalling a strategic leadership move as the hospital network strengthens its focus on operational excellence and long-term growth. Based in Gurugram, Sharma will oversee both the people agenda and enterprise-wide transformation efforts. Sharma joins Paras Health after a nearly seven-year tenure at Max Healthcare Institute, where he served as senior vice president and head-HR operations. In that role, he led human resources for eight hospitals with a combined capacity of about 2,100 beds. His responsibilities spanned business strategy, change management, talent development, compensation, employee relations…
A viral social-media post detailing one employee’s resignation has triggered widespread discussion about safety standards, leadership accountability, and toxic workplace dynamics. The worker claimed that repeated warnings about job-related risks were ignored for months, ultimately pushing them to leave the organisation. According to the account, the employee had consistently requested a tool that would have made daily tasks far safer. However, management allegedly failed to respond. The worker also described a pattern of poor internal communication, stating that leadership only appeared responsive when clients raised complaints or when urgent business needs arose. The situation escalated during a one-on-one meeting with…
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has cleared a long-pending proposal to implement equal pay for all Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS). This decision is expected to benefit nearly 4,000 employees. The civic body has set aside Rs 50 crore in its budget to support the move, signalling a significant step toward addressing pay disparities within the workforce. Mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh announced the development at a press briefing, stating that the formal declaration will be made during the upcoming budget session. He noted that the demand for uniform wages had remained unresolved for years despite earlier assurances, and described the…