Author: Liji Narayan | HRKatha

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics seems to be in for certain disruptions. Earlier, hundreds of dancers who were to perform at the ceremony tomorrow, that is, 26 July, had planned to go on strike to protest against wage disparities. However, after negotiations with the SFA-CGT, organisers of the event, the dancers managed to strike a deal and have accepted a revised pay offer. Represented by a union, the 3,000 dancers had been seeking a hike in pay and had been protesting the inequalities in pay. After negotiations, the lowest pay will now fall in the range of $150…

Kim Cheatle has taken full responsibility for the security lapse which led to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, former US president. She has formally resigned from her post. While investigations are on into the 13 July incident where Trump was shot at and injured in one ear, Cheatle has been temporarily replaced by Ronald Rowe, as acting director. While Cheatle’s association with the Secret Service is over 27 years old, she began overseeing the safety and protection of current and former presidents and various officials only in 2022. The incident that resulted in the demanded for her resignation saw…

India may be amongst the global leaders in artificial intelligence (AI) but the Economic Survey 2024 says that the country has not invested enough in AI research. There is no formal plan in place in this regard either. The Survey states that while China had published over one lakh research papers on AI in 2019, the US had published over 74,000. India, on the other hand, had published just over 23,000. However, as per the Economic Survey 2024, AI has made a significant growth in some sectors, especially the agri-tech, industry & automotive, healthcare, BFSI and retail sectors in India.…

Three out of five employees in India are experiencing high or extreme levels of stress. This is almost 31 per cent more than last year. This revelation could not have come at a better time. Just when Karnataka’s labour department is proposing to increase the working hours of IT/ITeS employees to 14 per day, the Emotional Wellness State of Corporates report reinforces what most employers already know but choose to take lightly—Stress is taking a toll on employees! The survey by YourDOST, which involved over 2,000 employees in the age group of 21-70 from various companies, reveals some alarming facts…

Looks like those with skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are spoilt for choice when it comes to job offers. A Foundit skill-assessment trends report reveals that there is no dearth of opportunities in the AI/ML domain. In fact, there has been a 12 per cent increase in AI and ML jobs in the past one year. That isn’t all; the average minimum salary of freshers taking up AI/ML jobs is about Rs 7.8 lakhs per annum. With the widespread adoption of AI applications across sectors and industries, the demand for talent with verified AI and ML…

It is time for a revolution—a compensation and benefits twirl! The traditional perks do not attract the new-age workers in India any more. No longer are they inspired by predictable compensation plans, says the Compensation & Benefits Survey 2024 by ANSR. Their hearts seek customised compensation and benefits, along with adaptable and innovative solutions—learning opportunities, upskilling, career development and a clear career path. They will make a beeline for organisations that offer them flexibility, mental-health support and hybrid work options. In fact, 61 per cent of the survey respondents feel customisable health-benefits programmes are very important. The survey covered Indian…

GreenLine has roped in Bhupesh Sawantdesai for the role of chief human resources officer (CHRO). He takes up this role after serving as senior director-people business partner-logistics-SCO, at DP World for more than a year. An alumnus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Sawantdesai began his professional journey with Kansai Nerolac Paints in 2003, as executive-human resources. Three years into this role, he switched to Emerson as senior manager-human resources for a little over two years. In 2009, he joined DHL Express India as business HR manager-India, based out of Mumbai. For the next four years, he successfully…

When employers expand their workforce, it means they are expecting growth and are confident that economic conditions will facilitate the same. They expect the health of their business as well as the sector in general to remain robust. A recent TeamLease survey shows that in the first half of FY 2024-25, Delhi has the highest proportion (53.21 per cent) of employers expanding their workforce size. Bangalore comes next with 50.46 per cent employers going for workforce expansion, followed by Hyderabad with 47.57 per cent. In terms of business size and functional area, startups and micro/small businesses and medium-sized enterprises make…

Workers in India are open to new careers. In fact, 94 per cent of those surveyed by Michael Page for the Talent Trends 2024 report are keen to explore different roles in 2024. This is four per cent less than those who were open to new roles during the same time last year. Globally, an average of 90 per cent workers are open to new roles, while in the APAC, the average is 89 per cent. However, what is to be noted is that the openness to explore new roles has continued since the start of the trend in 2022,…

That generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is capable of significantly altering workforce dynamics cannot be denied. After all, such transformation will lead to the reshaping of talent management and impact businesses. Not surprisingly, organisations worldwide are relooking at their hiring strategies. What do Indian employers feel? The Employment Outlook Report by TeamLease for the first half of FY2024-25, reveals that 35 per cent of organisations surveyed across 23 industries report a substantial change in their approaches to talent acquisition, as they endeavour to integrate advanced AI technologies such as GenAI. Clearly, GenAI is leading to significant shifts in the types of…

Madhavan B, an engineer with a passion for people, has embarked on a new chapter in his career. After nearly three years at Airtel, he’s joined Elgi Equipments as HRBP-ISAAME & SEA, bringing with him a diverse and enriching journey in the world of Human Resources. Madhavan’s story began with a foundation in engineering, but his curiosity led him to explore the human side of business. He pursued an MBA in HR Management from the Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, equipping himself with the tools to navigate the complexities of people and organisations. His early career was…

CIFDAQ, an AI-powered blockchain ecosystem company, has announced the appointment of Anil Vasu as the co-founder and global chief human resource officer. Vasu is backed by over 25 years of experience in the acquisition space. In this role, he will oversee the global HR strategy, focusing on building a robust talent pipeline, enhancing employee engagement, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. His role will be crucial in supporting CIFDAQ’s rapid growth and ensuring that the company attracts and retains top talent in the industry. Vasu served as executive-corporate human resources, at Silicon Mountains from 1997 to 2002, based…

What are the top two drivers in increasing employee engagement and productivity among the newer workforce? Globally, 79 per cent employers feel that enhancing technology tools and placing more emphasis on employee wellbeing will lead to better employee engagement and productivity. In fact, 84 per cent employers in the information technology (IT) space and 83 per cent in the financials and real-estate space feel that improving technology tools will lead to more engaged and productive employees. A survey by the Manpower Group says that about 77 per cent of global employers feel that focus on overall wellbeing of employees is…

Deborah Dorman has been appointed chief people officer (CPO), Hays, a specialist recruitment and workforce solutions company. She was earlier with Sainsbury’s for over 16 years. Dorman’s professional journey began with Keene Communications as account director in 1996. Four years into this role, she moved to Hypa Creative as client services director, in 2000. In February 2004, she took up a similar role at Serac Communications, where her stint lasted a little less than four years. Her next stop was Sainsbury’s in September 2007. She joined as head of internal communications and engagement. Over three years later, she was elevated…

Just as a happy and healthy mother raises a happy and healthy child, only engaged managers can ensure that non-managers are engaged at work. According to a Gallup report, countries in the upper half of manager engagement are two times as likely to have engaged non-managers. The Gallup survey has found that A whopping 70 per cent of the variance in team engagement is due to the manager. While it is true that economic wellbeing and labour protection play a significant role in employees’ happiness at work, engagement is more the outcome of interpersonal relationships with one’s manager. Managers can…

SpaceX has been dragged to court by eight of its former employees, who have alleged that their termination from service was the company’s retaliation. The said employees had circulated an open letter in 2022 condemning the statements made by Elon Musk, CEO, SpaceX, on X (which was then Twitter). The letter said that Musk’s comments were distracting and embarrassing. The said employees have filed a lawsuit wherein they have stated that SpaceX as a workplace was like an ‘animal house’ where sexually suggestive behaviour was common. The plaintiffs are demanding compensation for damages for having had to put up with…

Can you just sit back and let generative artificial intelligence or GenAI do your work? Indeed, GenAI has been redefining workplaces worldwide. Sure, it has innumerable advantages, but not everyone trusts the technology! In fact, only 48 pr cent of the respondents of a survey by UiPath said they trust the outputs generated from GenAI tools. Only about 44 per cent believe that GenAI tools have the context needed from their business’s own data to support processes and drive value. The trust in GenAi tools and outputs is maximum in Singapore (67 per cent), followed by Korea (63 per cent)…

The Government of Sikkim has approved a four per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners. The increment will come into retrospective effect from 1 July 2023. The nod to the proposal to increase DA was given during the first cabinet meeting recently, presided over by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang. With this, the DA for government staff and retired employees has gone up to 46 per cent. That means, there will be an additional financial pressure of about Rs 174 crore on the state government in this fiscal. Last year, that is, September 2023, the…

‘Ek Chamaat Maarenge, Bihar Pahunch Jaogi’! This literally means, “I will slap you so hard, you will go back to Bihar”. This isn’t a funny dialogue from a comedy film. This was what a colleague said to Nitika Kumari, an employee of HSBC GSC, Hyderabad. What is alarming is that Kumari had put up with many such humiliating instances in the past one year, and had accepted it as part and parcel of corporate life! What is even worse is that despite escalating the matter to her manager, no action was taken. Of course Kumari has quit. She couldn’t have…

Organisations across the world are waking up to the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility. There has been a rise in demand for chief sustainability officers, sustainability engineers, environmental managers, environmental auditors and renewable energy engineers. In times to come, environmental consultants and green building consultants will also be much sought after. This is because, the world needs professionals who can integrate sustainable practices into business operations. According to a report by NLB Services, over the past six years, more organisations have embraced sustainable and environment-friendly practices than ever before. The share of green talent has also gone up by…

Remote workers may be happy about work-life balance but they are certainly insecure about their jobs. According to ADP Research Institute’s ‘People at Work 2024: A Global Workforce View’—which surveyed 34,612 workers in 18 countries around the world—remote workers are 1.3 times more likely to feel insecure about their job than hybrid or on-site workers. Clearly, staying physically away from their offices is making remote workers a tad uncomfortable. Amongst the respondents of the survey, 9,567 workers were from the Asia Pacific—Australia, China, India, Japan and Singapore. However, this feeling of insecurity had lessened last year, compared to the year…

About 3150 employers from India were asked about their diversity plans, progress and intentions with regard to fostering diverse talent and bridging the gender gap. What was the answer? A very encouraging 58 per cent employers in the information technology (IT) sector said they were right on track with initiatives to improve the number of women in their workforce, and had managed to successfully strengthen the diversity ratio. While the figure was highest for the IT sector, it was lowest for the consumer goods and services sector, where only 34 per cent of the employers were on track with their…

Use of technology has resulted in more efficient workplaces and workforces. That is a fact we all know and acknowledge. The lesser known fact, however, is that technology plays a significant role in closing the gender gap at work. In fact, a whopping 80 per cent employers in India believe that technology has helped them be more flexible, which has promoted gender equality. Seventy-three per cent employers from the Asia Pacific (APAC), and 61 per cent from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) share the same sentiment. A good 77 per cent employers in India feel technological advancements facilitate…

My nephew and wife from Hyderabad had announced that they’d be visiting for five days, with their dog in tow. Looking forward to their company, I made plans for when they’d be staying with us—a movie, visits to friends’ houses, and even a session at their favourite spa. With a cousin’s engagement and a close friend’s baby shower thrown in on the weekend, their brief holiday was packed with fun. Or so I thought, till the duo landed with their laptops. They had not taken leave from work they said. Their respective bosses weren’t aware that they were out of…

Why is the UAE a go-to destination for skilled Indian workers? Well, why not? After all, the UAE wants them. A Huntr report reveals that there has been a 25 per cent rise in demand for skilled Indian migrant workers. In fact, in 2022, Indian migrant workers in the UAE sent home about $100 billion, contributing to the Indian economy, and being the driving force behind the development of rural areas and families. As per the report, the industries in the Emirates and the pace at which infrastructure projects are being developed there require skilled labour. The healthcare, technology, constructure,…

It hasn’t been long since HRKatha carried a story about how students from India’s business schools are increasingly feeling that better opportunities can come their way off campus. Now, the latest Deloitte survey seems to corroborate that in some way. The Campus Workforce Trends 2024 report reveals that for the first time in five years, there is a probability of projected salaries for management students dropping at least five per cent. In fact, even the students across campuses are expecting a drop in projected salaries in the range of five to 10 per cent. There has been a decline of…