B9 Beverages, the parent company of popular craft beer brand Bira 91, is preparing to sell one of its assets to raise urgent funds and address severe financial distress. The move comes amid a prolonged cash crunch that has left hundreds of employees without pay and operations at a standstill. The company has reportedly been struggling with liquidity issues for months, leading to unpaid salaries for over 250 employees since mid-2024. Production has been suspended since July, with the brewer now seeking immediate cash to clear dues, including pending provident-fund contributions and overdue tax deductions. In a recent communication to…
Author: HRK News Bureau
Henceforth, it will become very difficult for people to enter the US if they are diabetic or obese or have heart-related issues. Why? As per the revised rules, US State Department has asked US embassies and consulates across the world to refuse permission to enter or stay in the US to applicants suffering from health problems. That means diabetics, obese people and those suffering from cancer will not be able to enter the US, as it is feared that they will become a burden to the US government in terms of resources. Instructions have reportedly been given to visa officers…
NTT Data Business Solutions has elevated Tirumala Reddy Koduri to executive head of people & culture, APAC, India. She has been serving the company as vice president-people & culture, corporate communications & branding since March of 2024. Tirumala Reddy Koduri began her professional journey as an executive with Nipuna Services, in 2003. A year later, she moved to Akiko Sherman Infotech as senior executive in May of 2004. Koduri’s next stop was [24]7.ai, as senior executive, in April of 2005. A year and a half later, she switched to Monster India as assistant manager-HR. Her next stop was Deloitte, where…
Kenvue, a global consumer health company has elevated Bhawna Bakshi to lead executive and leadership hiring. For the past two and a half years, Bakshi has been essaying the role of global experience owner, Kenvue, based out of Singapore. After interning with The Energy Research Institute (TERI) and the Central Water Commission, Bhawna Bakshi joined Public Utilities Board (PUB), National Water Agency, in 2006. For four years she was based out of Singapore, involved in the implementation and management of water resources infrastructure projects including state-of-the-art membrane-based $250 million water-treatment plant, in Singapore. Korn Ferry appointed her as senior associate,…
A product-based startup reportedly forced its software developers or software- development engineers (SDE) to purchase a two-month subscription to an AI tool. The SDEs were apparently told that they would be reimbursed the cost of $20 per month, but the company did not keep the promise. When the SDEs demanded the reimbursement, the company denied their requests and even asked them for proof of how well they had used the tool. An employee (SDE) of the company posted on Reddit expressing frustration at how the employees had been compelled to spend out of their own pockets on a tool to…
After an association with Pristyn Care that lasted over five and a half years, Gaurva Bagga has taken up the role of chief technology officer (CTO), Emoha Eldercare. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, Gaurav Bagga went on to obtain an MSc in Computer Science from University of Southern California in 2011. After interning with Abbott Medical Optics as software engineering intern, in California, US, Gaurav Bagga joined MarkMonitor as big data engineer, in June of 2011, based out of San Francisco, California. For over a year, he collaborated directly with the CTO, playing a key role…
Tech startup, Cluely is turning heads with its latest employee perk: a $500 bonus for successfully referring a date for a colleague. The new “refer-a-date” policy, introduced by the company’s CEO, is making waves, and it’s already getting plenty of attention across social media. Under the scheme, if an employee refers a date that another colleague is happy with, the referring employee is rewarded with a one-time bonus of $500. And if the same employee successfully refers multiple dates, they can rack up additional bonuses, making the reward stackable. For example, if one employee refers dates for two different colleagues,…
State Bank of India (SBI) is working on a new initiative to enable its employees to communicate more effectively with customers in local languages, addressing the diverse linguistic landscape of the country. The programme, called Spark, aims to equip employees with the skills needed to engage customers in their native languages, leveraging AI tools to facilitate faster learning and smoother transitions. The initiative comes in response to a call from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who urged government-owned banks to enhance their connection with customers by ensuring employees at every branch can communicate in the local language. SBI Chairman CS Setty,…
A new report from the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) reveals that the UK could lose an additional 6,00,000 workers over the next decade due to long-term health conditions. This growing trend is expected to cost the UK economy a staggering £36 billion annually. According to the analysis, by 2035, more than 3.3 million adults are projected to become economically inactive because of conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, mental health issues, and cardiovascular diseases. The report highlights a 26 per cent increase in workforce inactivity, which is the equivalent of the entire population of Bristol leaving the workforce. This…
Microsoft has announced a major expansion of its ‘Elevate UAE’ initiative, part of its global commitment to equip one million people across the United Arab Emirates with essential artificial intelligence (AI) skills. The company said the programme is progressing rapidly, with more than 2,50,000 students, educators, and staff and over 55,000 government employees already being trained in high-demand AI competencies. The announcement follows Microsoft’s pledge to invest $15.2 billion in the UAE by the end of the decade. The investment aims to strengthen the nation’s AI ecosystem by combining technology, talent and trust to support sustainable economic growth. In partnership…
Rohit Vishal Gupta has been appointed group chief human resources officer (GCHRO) at Haldiram’s. He moves from Varun Beverages where he was CHRO since 2023. This certified coach from Erickson Coaching International, is an alumnus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). The initial years of his professional journey were spent at ITC, as assistant HRM-tobacco business, from 1999 to 2004. April of 2004 to July of 2006, he served as HRM, Surya Nepal. Gupta was back at ITC in July of 2006, to head HR-personal care products business, working out of Kolkata. Less than eight years into this…
EDME Insurance Brokers, formerly Aditya Birla Insurance Brokers, an Indian insurance and reinsurance broking firm, has appointed Vinod Krishnan as the chief executive officer of its treaty reinsurance vertical. He will be moving from Gallagher Re where he was head of reinsurance since 2023. Before that he was director-client relationship management of the firm, based out of Singapore. A mechanical engineering graduate, Vinod Krishnan is also an alumnus of the Insurance Institute of India. After spending a few years as graduate engineering trainee and project engineer, first in Chennai and then in Thailand, Vinod Krishnan took up the role of…
Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Autodesk have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance ‘digital design and make’ skills among faculty and trainers in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India. This collaboration reflects Autodesk’s continued commitment to supporting India’s Skill India Mission and advancing the use of digital design technology in education and vocational training. Autodesk offers free access to its design and make technologies for students and educators globally, along with comprehensive curricula, hands-on training, and learning resources. Additionally, Autodesk invests in…
India’s workforce stands at a troubling crossroads. Despite the country’s rapid economic growth and technological advancement, 66 per cent of employees report being unhappy at work, according to the 2025 Happiness Research Report by Happiest Places to Work. The study, which surveyed 2,123 professionals across sectors and regions, reveals a stark disconnect between organisational performance and employee well-being. The productivity paradox The research underscores a paradox at the heart of modern work: whilst productivity has surged and digital infrastructure has transformed how Indians work, emotional well-being has not kept pace. The average workplace happiness score sits at a modest 5.5…
Microsoft has introduced a new internal feature that allows employees to confidentially report potential misuse of the company’s technology. The move comes amid its growing criticism over its alleged involvement in military surveillance operations. The tool, called ‘Trusted Technology Review,’ has been added to Microsoft’s existing Integrity Portal. It enables employees to raise ethical or policy concerns related to the development or deployment of Microsoft’s products, functioning similarly to systems used for reporting workplace misconduct or security issues. In a memo sent to staff on 5 November, Microsoft President Brad Smith said the new mechanism will ensure employees can report…
Rockstar Games, the developer behind the blockbuster Grand Theft Auto franchise, has confirmed that the recent dismissal of several employees was due to the unauthorised sharing of confidential company information, not an attempt to suppress unionisation efforts. According to a company statement, between 30 and 40 employees across Rockstar’s UK and Canadian offices were terminated last week for “gross misconduct.” The company said its internal investigation revealed that the individuals were distributing and discussing sensitive information in an online forum that included non-employees — a clear breach of company policy. Rockstar emphasised that the decision had “no connection to anyone’s…
The Bank of Canada is set to cut roughly 10 per cent of its workforce, affecting about 225 employees, as part of a larger government-wide effort to curb spending. The job reductions are expected to take place over the next few months and be completed by June 2026, according to an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg News. The central bank said it has already taken steps to reduce costs, including trimming non-salary budgets, closing open positions, and offering early retirement packages. However, these measures were not enough to meet its target of achieving a 10 per cent cost reduction by…
In a proud moment for India Inc., Amara Raja Group has been recognised among the World’s Best Employers 2025 by Forbes, reaffirming its standing as a people-first organisation that blends innovation with purpose-driven leadership. The Group is one of only six Indian companies to make it to the prestigious global list this year, joining Reliance Industries, HCL Technologies, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Larsen & Toubro. Compiled in collaboration with data and intelligence platform Statista, the Forbes World’s Best Employers list is based on independent surveys of over 300,000 employees across 50 countries. The evaluation focuses on workplace culture, career…
A US-based entrepreneur has gone viral after revealing she once fired an employee for repeatedly wearing a hoodie during Zoom meetings, despite multiple warnings. The incident, shared by Wisconsin entrepreneur Stacy Tuschl on Instagram, has ignited a heated discussion about professionalism and dress codes in the modern workplace. In her post, Tuschl reflected on an event that took place nearly ten years ago, saying it taught her important lessons about leadership and accountability. She explained that the company had clearly communicated its dress code policy during onboarding, including a rule against wearing hoodies on video calls. However, the employee continued…
Wells Fargo is preparing for another round of workforce reduction as it advances efforts to simplify operations, enhance efficiency, and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across its systems. The move marks a continued shift in the bank’s transformation journey under Charlie Scharf its chief executive officer. Since Scharf’s appointment in 2019, the bank’s employee base has already declined from around 2,75,000 to just over 2,10,000. The next phase of streamlining will likely involve further cuts, with the bank preferring natural attrition over large-scale layoffs. The leadership views this as a step toward eliminating unnecessary processes and bureaucracy that slow decision-making and…
Celonis, a global company in process intelligence, is gearing up for a major expansion in India, positioning the country as a core pillar of its global operations. The company aims to have one-third of its total workforce—around 1,500 employees—based in India by 2027. This marks a significant rise from the current 300 employees expected by the end of this fiscal year. The announcement came during Celosphere 2025, where the company outlined its vision to make India a central hub for innovation, technology, and talent. With India’s rapidly growing pool of skilled professionals in artificial intelligence (AI) and process intelligence, Celonis…
International Business Machines (IBM) is planning significant job cuts this quarter as part of a major workforce realignment to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) landscape. The layoffs will affect a low single-digit percentage of its global workforce, which stood at around 270,000 employees at the end of 2024. While the company has not disclosed the exact number of roles being eliminated, the cuts are expected to impact several thousand employees worldwide. IBM said the move aligns with its broader strategy of maintaining the right mix of talent and skills to support changing client needs. The…
A viral Reddit post recently revealed just how hollow the phrase-‘we’re a family at work’ can become, when it’s tested by real human need. For years, companies have romanticised the idea of being a “family”. But sometimes, this so-called family is more slogan than substance. The story began at a company where the CEO ended every meeting with the same line: “We’re not just colleagues; we’re family.” For three years, employees had heard it so often that it became part of the office wallpaper. Team lunches, birthday cakes, and “family day” events were routine. Everyone was told they were part…
Belgium-headquartered Radisson Hotel Group has unveiled an ambitious growth plan for India, aiming to double its portfolio and triple its workforce over the next five years. The global hospitality chain plans to expand its presence from over 200 hotels currently to around 250–260 by 2026 and reach the milestone of 500 hotels by 2030. As India remains one of the company’s most promising markets, the group also plans to increase its workforce in the country from 17,000 to nearly 50,000 employees by 2030. The move reinforces its long-term commitment to the Indian hospitality sector. At present, Radisson operates about 130…
Kanodia Group has appointed Rajiv Andley as its new chief human resources officer (CHRO). The move marks a key addition to the company’s leadership team. Before joining Kanodia Group, he served as head-HR, Healthium Medtech, where he spearheaded several initiatives focused on organisational development, talent management, and employee engagement. He joined the company in the year 2020 as its head-HR and IR. Andley brings with him over three decades of rich experience in human resources, having worked with leading organisations such as Tata Motors, Bajaj Hindustan, Subros, and Uflex — prominent names across the automotive, healthcare, packaging, and FMCG sectors.…
An employee recently shared on Reddit how they stopped going to the office — and no one noticed for three months. The post has since gone viral, sparking widespread discussion about the blurred lines between remote and hybrid work. According to the Reddit user, their company had asked employees to return to the office twice a week. They complied at first, spending hours commuting only to sit alone in a half-empty office and attend Zoom meetings with colleagues who were still working from home. “I realised I was basically commuting to use Slack,” the user wrote. One day, after a…