STEER World, an engineering innovation firm that specialises in materials transformation, has announced the appointment of Ajay Bhasin as its group chief human resource officer (CHRO). Bhasin has moved to STEER from Tata Coffee, where he was heading HR for the firm’s Instant Coffee Division, since 2017. An alumnus of XLRI Jamshedpur, Bhasin spent the initial four years of his career with FCC-CCL Joint Venture, as site lead-HR. In 2005, he joined Panacea Biotech as plant HR, where he was an active member of the green field project team, and responsible for manpower planning and mass recruitment. A year later,…
Author: HRK News Bureau
A recent survey has revealed that the average salary in the UAE is projected to rise by four per cent this year, in contrast to a 2.3 per cent increase in inflation. The survey disclosed that 53 per cent of companies are looking to raise employee salaries in 2024. Among these, 39 per cent are planning increases of up to five per cent, around one in ten anticipate raises between 6 to 9 per cent, and five per cent are gearing up for increases of 10 per cent or more. For many individuals, particularly those belonging to mid-to-low income brackets,…
In Japan, where hay fever significantly impacts workforce productivity, innovative solutions are emerging to combat this seasonal challenge. Companies are now offering allergy-stricken employees a unique remedy: subsidised ‘tropical escapes’ to regions with lower pollen counts. This initiative aims to alleviate symptoms and enhance worker efficiency during the dreaded hay fever season, as reported by The Washington Post. An alarming 80 per cent of Japanese hay fever sufferers report a significant reduction in productivity. Recognising this challenge, approximately 20 per cent of workplaces are now allowing remote work during hay fever season, with some even covering associated costs, according to…
Following the creation of 1,50,000 direct jobs within a span of two and a half years, the Apple ecosystem is now pivoting towards addressing the residential needs of factory workers. The initiative aims to erect more than 78,000 housing units, with Tamil Nadu slated to receive the lion’s share of 58,000 units. The initiative specifically aims to bolster efficiency and provide security, particularly for migrant women employees, a significant portion of whom belong to the 19-24 age bracket. Presently, most employees reside in rented accommodations and endure lengthy bus commutes to reach their workplaces. Officials highlighted that given the substantial…
In an effort to cut costs and streamline its operations, Zee Entertainment is set to undergo a significant restructuring. The decision will impact an estimated 15 per cent of its workforce, as part of a move towards a leaner management approach, led by Punit Goenka, MD and CEO, Zee Entertainment. The proposed restructuring, unveiled on Friday, 5 April, aims to establish a more cost-efficient operational model focused on driving higher growth through enhanced performance and profitability. About 500 employees out of a total of 3,437 permanent staff are expected to be affected by the layoffs. This announcement follows closely on…
New Zealand has implemented significant changes to its Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme in response to a near-record surge in migration last year. The government deems this rapid influx unsustainable and aims to prioritise both New Zealand citizens and highly skilled migrants. The revised programme introduces stricter requirements for low-skilled job seekers. Applicants must now demonstrate English language proficiency and meet minimum skills and work experience thresholds. Additionally, the maximum continuous stay for most low-skilled roles has been reduced from five to three years. “The Government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary…
In a memo to the employees, Campbell Wilson, CEO, Air India, has informed employees that the counting, auditing, approving and reporting process is on; and that they will soon receive news of annual appraisal. Wilson shared that Air India is in the process of compiling numbers, and the annual appraisal will come in retrospective effect from 1 April 2024. The company, according to Wilson, is tallying its yearly financial figures and also working on the appraisal cycle. Therefore, he has requested the employees to be a bit patient and wait for the process to be completed. The official mail also…
Saudi Arabia is introducing significant reforms to its domestic worker sponsorship system, aiming to improve the contractual relationship between employers and employees. This move addresses a longstanding challenge in the Gulf job market. The reforms, spearheaded by the Ministry of Human Resources, prioritise the rights of both parties. Notably, out-of-work domestic workers will now benefit from a two-month grace period to exit the country or secure employment with a new sponsor. This applies to all domestic worker categories adhering to the prescribed regulations. The reforms establish clearer guidelines for contract termination. If an employer terminates a contract within the first…
Unhappy with the slow pace at which two employees were working under him, Suresh, an auditor at a firm apparently started pressurising them to work harder and faster. While the two, Umashankar and Vinesh, used to take two days to clear transactions, their manager, Suresh wanted them to complete the work on a daily basis. The two employees, who were upset with the work pressure, decided to teach their senior a lesson. They hired goons to beat him up. What is even more scary is that it all happened in broad daylight, in the middle of a busy street in…
Aakash Thakur, an alumnus of Himachal Pradesh University and IMT Ghaziabad, has taken on the role of vice president – corporate human resources at Vardhman Group. Vardhman Group is a vertically integrated textile manufacturer with multiple production facilities across India. The company headquartered in Ludhiana Punjab, India, manufactures and trades in yarn and processed fabric, sewing thread, acrylic fibre and alloy steel. Prior to this, Thakur was associated with Omya, a global industry mineral producer, as its director-HR for the South Asia region. He joined the company in the year 2021. Thakur is a distinguished HR professional with career spanning…
The latest directives from the department of personnel and training outline a comprehensive array of allowances accessible to Central government employees. All the changes have been detailed in the Office Memorandum (OM) issued on 2 April, 2024. Stemming from the thorough examination and recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission in 2016, these allowances encompass various sectors, including railway workers, civilian defence personnel and defence personnel. Furthermore, notable allowances applicable to Central government employees comprise dearness allowance (DA), house rent allowance (HRA), transport allowance and children’s education allowance, travelling allowance, deputation allowance, as well as fixed medical allowance for pensioners. It…
In a bold move towards sustainability, Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), an FMCG conglomerate, installed electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to offer a seamless and user-friendly experience for employees driving electric vehicles. The stations are established at its Noida headquarters. These EV-charging stations are powered entirely by solar energy in the open parking area. These stations will also enable them to conveniently recharge their cars during office hours. Through this initiative, the company actively champions the adoption of electric vehicles, thereby playing a proactive role in reducing its carbon footprint and fostering a greener tomorrow. Commenting on the initiative, Ramesh…
After reportedly multiple rounds of negotiation, the 3,500 contractual workers from the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, who had gone on strike for two days, decided to call off the strike. The workers have been seeking equal work, equal remuneration and other benefits. The protestors included kitchen staff, sanitation workers, laundry staff as well as security personnel working on contract all of whom boycotted work, affecting health services. These contract workers began protesting on 3 April 2024 when their union leaders were detained for calling and planning a strike. had gone on strike on Wednesday in Chandigarh…
With an aim to enhance the work culture across the 45 central universities in India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched a capacity-building training programme for the non-teaching staff. The Commission will collaborate with the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) of the Indian government, to impart training to a minimum of 5,000 non-teaching employees across these 45 central universities. The initiative is expected to help these employees improve their skills and abilities. The sessions will cover the role played by technology in processes, the significance of psychology in workflow, management of academics, nuances of higher education ecosystem, finance management as…
After a successful tenure of over nine years with Google, Lyra Schramm has joined F5 as executive vice president and chief people officer. Schramm, who holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Washington State University, began her professional journey as human resource generalist with Qpass, in 1997. Five years later, she moved to Amazon.com as head of talent acquisition, AWS. During her four-year tenure there, she developed foundational recruiting procedures, the MBA college recruiting programme and the company’s DEI strategies. From 2006 to 2015, she was associated with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as deputy director-human resource business partner, country…
In February, Apple had decided to shelve its autonomous electric car project. Therefore, employees working on the project were already bracing for loss of jobs. At the time it was reported that some employees from the special project group or SPG, out of the approximately 1,400 that were still working on the project, would be moved to Apple’s generative AI projects. As per the latest report by Bloomberg, over 600 employees have been rendered jobless in California after Apple closed its car and smartwatch display projects. The number was revealed in the filings with the California Employment Development Department. While…
After a successful tenure lasting almost five years at Coforge, Ruchi Kulhari has joined Unisys as chief human resource officer, based out of New York City. Kulhari, who has worked as Infoscion, Infosys for almost 12 years, from 2005 to 2016, joined EXL in October 2016. She took on the role of global human resources business partner, which she successfully essayed for a little less than three years. Her next stop was Coforge in 2019. She joined as senior vice president-human resources. A little over three years into this role, she was elevated to the position of executive vice president-human…
Piyush Mehta, who is currently leading the global people function for Genpact, has been elevated to the position of country manager. He will continue to shoulder the responsibilities of CHRO, that is, all aspects of HR such as training and development, recruitment, resource management, as well as talent marketing and management. He has been successfully helping drive a culture for 90,000+ employees that embraces diversity and inclusion across all operations. This alumnus from XLRI Jamshedpur, from where he obtained his MBA in personnel management and industrial relations, holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hansraj College. In the initial years…
In a move to elevate employee spirits, Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer, has introduced a special discount initiative for its staff, for its latest electric vehicle, the SU7. Running from 28 March to 30 June, 2024, this programme offers Xiaomi staff notably reduced interest rates on car loans. With annualised rates plunging to as low as 1.6 per cent—a significant drop from the standard 3.0 per cent rate will be extended to external customers as well. To seize this offer, employees simply need to place an order for the SU7 through the Xiaomi Auto App and await contact from a…
This year, senior-level job roles are poised for an average salary increase of 20 per cent. This reflects a strong emphasis on nurturing talent and driving innovation amid robust economic conditions in the country, according to the latest findings from the Michael Page India Salary Guide 2024. The survey highlights a resurgence in hiring across traditional industries, notably in manufacturing and operations roles. Additionally, there’s a growing demand for professionals proficient in data analytics, generative AI, and machine learning across various sectors. The report covers key sectors such as BFSI, engineering and manufacturing, finance and accounting, healthcare and life sciences,…
Maruti Suzuki India has elevated Satish Mohapatra to the position of executive vice president and corporate HR, effective from 1 April. His new role will encompasses leadership across three vital divisions: HR business partner organisation, HR CoEs (centres of expertise), and HR shared service. Managing a workforce of over 12,000 employees, Mohapatra will ensure smooth operation and coordination of the teams across departments and functions within the company. He will also spearhead the company’s growth as its business head. Prior to assuming this new role, Mohapatra served as the vice president and head-central HR and chief diversity officer of the…
As per recent media reports, Amazon has announced significant layoffs within its cloud computing arm, AWS. Reportedly, AWS is undergoing substantial restructuring, resulting in the termination of hundreds of employees across its physical stores, technology, sales, and marketing divisions. The news has been confirmed by the company stating that these layoffs reflect a strategic realignment towards key focus areas. Furthermore, it’s a part of the company’s endeavour to align with its future priorities, reducing any duplication and inefficiency in roles. While the company is committed to assisting affected employees in transitioning to new roles, these layoffs coincide with broader shifts…
After a long and successful tenure of over 23 years with Boston Consulting Group, Karalee Close has joined Accenture as global lead talent and organization. In the initial years of her career, Close was the director of corporate planning, director of customer service/IT at University Health Network, based out of Toronto, Canada. Six years into this role, in 2005, she moved to Innovation Value Institute as chair, technical committee. Her association with the Boston Consulting Group began in 2014, as marketing partner for technology advantage practice. A little less than three years into this role, she was elevated to global…
According to the payroll processor, Automatic Data Processing (ADP) report, 1.84 lakh jobs were added in the private sector in the US in March 2024. This is more than the 1.48 lakh jobs that were expected to be added. This increment has been the most significant since July of 2023. Maximum jobs were added in the leisure and hospitality segment. However, hiring saw a slump in the professional services space. Pay gains were recorded for job changers in the construction, financial services and manufacturing space. For those who stayed on in their jobs, pay gains stood at 5.1 per cent,…
Headcount at Citigroup is being reduced further. The latest round of layoffs will see 430 employees from across units in New York being let go. The main banking division, that is, Citibank will see 363 employees being laid off, while others will be let go from the technology and broker-dealer divisions as per the financial institution’s filings with the State Department of Labour. On 20 March, Citigroup had revealed its decision to trim up to 168 positions at the Dublin office. At the time, it had 3,000 employees in |Ireland. The layoff was part of Citigroup’s aim to slash 20,000…
At least 20 employees of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in the US have accused the Indian multinational of terminating their services so that their roles could go to Indians holding H1-B visas. Having been laid off suddenly without any notice, these disgruntled employees have alleged that TCS unlawfully discriminated against them on the basis of race and age. The company has however denied these allegations and called them baseless claiming that it believes in providing equal opportunities to everyone and that there is no reason for anyone to doubt the integrity of its operations. The company maintains that amidst falling…