Author: Dr. Prajjal Saha | HRKatha

As a child, I watched a labour union leader address a gathering. “Eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, eight hours of entertainment or leisure,”his voice echoing through a loudspeaker. In Hindi, it had rhythm: 8 ghanta kaam, 8 ghanta aaram, 8 ghanta manoranjan. It was the foundational principle of organised labour—a demand fought for through strikes and sacrifice, eventually codified into law. That was decades ago. Somewhere between then and now, that principle evaporated. Anna Sebastian Perayil was 26 years old. She worked at EY Pune and died in July 2024, her death attributed to work-related stress. Kerala’s…

Dr. Jennifer Doudna, the Nobel Prize-winning biochemist who revolutionised gene editing, once said she actively avoided being seen as a “woman scientist.” She wanted to be judged simply as a scientist. Two decades later, her wish seems closer to reality—at least on paper. Today, 77 per cent of leaders across industries recognise that women are as effective as men in leadership roles. The battle for recognition, it would appear, has been won. Yet beneath this veneer of progress lies a more insidious problem: a perception gap so wide it threatens to widen further just as organisations race toward an AI-powered…

Organisations have discovered the perfect business model: demand highly specialised skills from workers whilst accepting zero responsibility for developing them. It’s rather like opening a restaurant that requires diners to cook their own meals but still charges full price. Welcome to the skills-based economy, where companies proclaim the urgent need for capabilities they refuse to create, workers bear sole responsibility for acquiring expertise nobody will teach them, and everyone pretends this represents progress rather than the largest cost-shifting exercise in modern employment history. The training boycott ManpowerGroup’s survey of more than 40,000 employers across 42 countries reveals that temporary workers…

Last week in this column, I wrote about The Great Realignment — the slow but inevitable reshaping of India’s job market from the old IT services model to a more balanced future, anchored by manufacturing and home-grown product innovation. A few days later, the United States added a fresh twist to that story. Washington has hiked fees for the H-1B visa, the single most important ticket for Indian tech workers to enter the American economy. The move has sparked anxiety in India’s IT corridors. For decades, the H-1B has been the symbol of ambition, a golden bridge between India’s engineering…

Cognizant has appointed Thirumala (“Thiru”) Arohi as its new chief learning officer, reporting to Kathy Diaz, chief people officer. The move comes as part of the company’s push to elevate its learning and development capabilities in an era of rapid technological change. Thiru arrives with over 30 years of experience in learning, training and assessment in large technology firms. He spent more than 28 of those years at Infosys, rising to the role of executive vice president and head of education, training & assessment & learning platforms. In that capacity, he was responsible for building scalable learning ecosystems, launching digital…

In the comment section of a recent story on Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), one remark cut through the noise: “Those who joined IT enjoyed great salaries and perks, whilst those in manufacturing had to slog. Now that things have changed, why are they cursing the company?” It was part provocation, part social commentary — and it perfectly captured a generational shift in India’s job market. For three decades, IT was the ultimate dream: plush offices, dollar-linked salaries, on-site opportunities abroad. Manufacturing, by contrast, was considered noisy, gritty, and second-best. Engineering graduates aspired to work in Bengaluru’s tech parks, not in…

A recent social media post defending India’s real money gaming (RMG) industry encapsulates the moral dilemma now confronting policymakers. The post, written by an old colleague of mine, argues passionately against the government’s ban, warning of devastating consequences: “We’re talking about an approximate Rs 20,000 crore industry that employs nearly 1 lakh young Indians, has contributed Rs 24,000+ crore in taxes, and invested Rs 8,000 crore in advertising.” But another ex-colleague’s response cuts to the heart of the matter: “I have zero doubt that real money gaming needed to go… Have heard of far too many cases where gambling addiction…

In India’s offices—from Bengaluru’s tech parks to Mumbai’s financial centres—AI is no longer a boardroom pilot; it’s a desktop reality. And not the kind organisations planned for. Employees, frustrated with slow-moving enterprise rollouts, have taken matters into their own hands. They’re using personal accounts of ChatGPT, Claude and other AI tools to draft documents, write code, analyse data and automate routine tasks—often without approval, often without guidance, and almost always ahead of the organisation. This is not conjecture; it’s the new normal. A sweeping MIT study on generative AI adoption across enterprises reveals a stark divide: whilst only 40 per…

In 2019, Mrinal Duggal faced a challenge that would test any executive: building Sanofi’s global capability centre in Hyderabad from nothing. Not just another regional outpost, but the pharmaceutical giant’s primary hub for worldwide operations—in a city already crawling with multinational competitors desperate for the same talent. Five years later, her operation houses 3,000 employees across functions spanning drug discovery, commercial operations, and patient services. The transformation represents more than corporate expansion; it’s a case study in how established companies can compete for talent in India’s most contested markets. “Unlike other GCCs, we’re not considered internal service providers. We’re integrated…

A seasoned HR leader with extensive experience across MNCs and Indian conglomerates, Priyank Parakh brings a wealth of expertise in consumer goods, durables, and healthcare. As Director-HR at Haleon, he’s passionate about creating workplaces where people thrive and building cultures that inspire daily excellence. In this candid conversation with Dr. Prajjal Saha, founder and editor of HRKatha, Parakh shares insights on how Haleon is shaping its identity and capabilities following its demerger from GSK two years ago. Q: Haleon spun off from GSK just two years ago – that must have been quite a journey. How did you handle building…

As India progresses towards its ambition of becoming a $10 trillion economy by 2035, a profound transformation is reshaping its labour market. Automation—once confined to manufacturing assembly lines—has evolved into an immediate reality touching nearly every sector. The implications are stark: demand for lower and medium-skill roles is set to decline dramatically, creating both unprecedented challenges and opportunities for the world’s most populous nation. The global surge Globally, automation’s pace has surpassed even aggressive predictions. Sophisticated algorithms now manage customer service, artificial intelligence creates content, and autonomous systems handle logistics. McKinsey’s latest research suggests approximately 30 per cent of work…

Sanjeeb Lahiri, CHRO, GRP, joined the company seven years ago to help transform a traditional recycling business into a recognised sustainability leader. Now in its 51st year, GRP specialises in reclaimed rubber and engineering plastics, maintaining an average employee tenure of 15 years across its 1,000-strong workforce. The company has successfully repositioned itself from “scrap business” to impact-positive sustainability partner, working with global tyre companies while maintaining strong family values and employee loyalty. Lahiri discusses with Dr. Prajjal Saha, founder and editor of HRKatha, how purpose-driven talent strategies are transforming India’s sustainability manufacturing sector, bridging generational knowledge gaps, and creating…

The HR profession stands at an inflection point. Digital transformation, evolving workforce expectations, and the rapid pace of organisational change have fundamentally altered what it means to be an HR professional in 2025. Yet, our recognition systems remain anchored in outdated paradigms that celebrate tenure over innovation, experience over impact, and hierarchy over potential. Today, we change that narrative. The launch of the HRKatha Rising Star Leadership Awards represents more than just another industry recognition programme. It embodies a philosophy that the future of HR leadership isn’t waiting in corporate boardrooms – it’s being shaped right now by professionals who…

Richard Lobo, chief people officer at Tech Mahindra, shares his insights on the evolving workplace, the changing role of managers, and how organisations can balance technology advancement with human capabilities. In this exclusive interview with Dr. Prajjal Saha, founder and editor of HRKatha, Lobo discusses how businesses are redefining talent acquisition, performance management and career development in the age of AI. Q: Organisations must transcend rigid roles and hierarchies to achieve business agility. Yet we see a persistent trend of hiring based on past experiences rather than potential. How do you envision a future where skills and adaptability take precedence…

Across Mumbai’s financial districts, Bengaluru’s bustling tech corridors, and Gurugram’s thriving corporate hubs, a profound revolution is underway. Algorithms and intelligent systems are steadily claiming the routine, transactional work that once defined HR. Payroll processing, benefits administration, documentation? These tasks are increasingly the domain of machines. The HR function as we know it is dying. Let’s be clear: the administrative, compliance-focused HR department that has dominated businesses for decades faces extinction. What’s replacing it isn’t merely evolution but radical transformation that will separate visionary organisations from those condemned to mediocrity. From Mumbai to Bengaluru, the verdict is unanimous—the future has…

With nearly four decades of rich HR experience, Sushil Baveja brings valuable insights from his journey across multinational corporations and Indian conglomerates. Currently serving as chief human resources officer at Jindal Stainless, Baveja previously held significant positions at DCM Shriram, Cadbury, and Gillette. Known for his expertise in talent development and union management, he shares his perspectives on the evolving manufacturing landscape in this exclusive interview with Dr Prajjal Saha, founder and editor, HRKatha. Q: For years, the IT and knowledge sectors attracted top talent with lucrative compensation and benefits. However, recently there’s been some instability due to layoffs and…

Each May 1st, the world pauses to commemorate Labour Day—a day steeped in history, honouring the sacrifices of workers who fought for fair wages, reasonable hours, and safe working conditions. Born in the fires of industrial struggle, Labour Day has long been a symbol of solidarity and a rallying cry for equity in the workplace. But here we are in 2025, living in a world transformed by digitisation, automation, and the explosive rise of the service economy. The question isn’t whether Labour Day is still relevant in India—it is whether we have the courage to expand its scope and reshape…

Many of us have grown up in an era where securing a job was the quintessential path to success. First, it was primarily government and PSU positions, then with privatisation and economic liberalisation, private-sector roles became equally coveted by the Indian middle class—particularly for their impressive packages and perks. The Seventh Pay Commission nearly levelled the playing field just as government employees were growing anxious about private-sector compensation. In the post-Independence era, the salaried job represented stability and respectability. Government jobs were especially revered—not just for their steady pay but for the social stature they conferred. With the advent of…

It’s common to see memes and jokes around HR. I think this is one department or function on which maximum memes are created. Well, it can be fun and entertaining for general folks, but it certainly takes a toll on HR professionals and creates anxiety. Behind these seemingly harmless jokes lies a profound crisis that’s silently devastating HR departments worldwide, creating a mental health emergency that demands immediate attention. Fresh research from skills-development firm, Corndel reveals a disturbing reality: nearly half of HR professionals report experiencing anxiety at least once a week. This isn’t merely concerning—it’s alarming. The constant ridicule…

In a workshop of an EV (electric vehicle) company, a 24-year-old engineer sketches the blueprint for an electric vehicle battery that could revolutionise urban transport. She isn’t working alone. Behind her success lies a meticulously designed talent strategy that has transformed how companies cultivate leadership in India’s most dynamic industrial sectors. Success hinges not just on technological innovation, but on the ability to cultivate and retain exceptional talent. At Eka Mobility, an Indian electric vehicle company, talent management has become a strategic weapon in maintaining competitive edge. “The foundation of any agile and thriving organisation is built upon the strength…

In boardrooms across the globe, executives are falling prey to a seductive fallacy: that artificial intelligence represents the pinnacle of workplace objectivity. Make no mistake—this is not merely misguided; it is dangerous. The rush to implement AI as judge, jury, and evaluator of human performance betrays a profound misunderstanding of what truly drives workplace excellence. When Salesforce deployed AI to guide leadership decisions in 2017, they weren’t just implementing a tool—they were advancing a mythology. The myth that algorithms, by virtue of their mathematical underpinnings, transcend the messy biases that plague human judgment. This is categorically false. Every AI system…

Elon Musk’s management style has always been a study in contradictions—bold yet rigid, visionary yet controlling. His recent endorsement of task reporting—a system where employees meticulously document their daily accomplishments to validate their worth—is a stark reminder of the outdated, industrial-era mindset that views workers as cogs in a machine. While task reporting might seem pragmatic in theory, its fundamental flaws render it an ineffective and counterproductive management tool, especially in modern workplaces where innovation, trust, and autonomy drive success. And then there’s the generational factor. India’s workforce is rapidly being dominated by Gen Z—a generation raised in a digital-first…

A whistleblower’s email to the ethics committee of one of India’s largest technology companies, which has been accessed by HRKatha, has laid bare disturbing allegations that – if proven true – challenge the very foundation of corporate ethics. While HRKatha cannot independently verify the authenticity of these claims, the detailed nature of the complaint and its implications warrant serious consideration. In a comprehensive email that names both the CEO and the CHRO, the employee describes a calculated scheme to deliberately fail new recruits at training centres, complete with intimidation tactics that would seem more at home in a gangster’s playbook…

The truth about your HR department is uglier than you think. Behind the carefully crafted emails about employee engagement and wellness initiatives lies a profession in crisis. According to Personio’s latest research, over half of HR professionals have experienced burnout in the past five years, with one-third planning their escape from the profession entirely. Sage’s 2024 report reveals an even more alarming picture: 95 per cent of HR leaders feel overwhelmed, 84 per cent experience frequent stress, and 81 per cent report burnout. These aren’t just statistics—they’re distress signals from a profession at its breaking point. In India, the narrative…

The global buzz around four-day workweeks has reached a fever pitch, and corporate India’s tepid response reveals a troubling reluctance to embrace inevitable change. While nations from Germany to Brazil forge ahead with bold workplace experiments, we remain stubbornly anchored to outdated notions of productivity that equate long hours with dedication. This mindset isn’t just obsolete – it’s actively harming our economic potential and human capital. Let’s be brutally honest: India’s current work culture is unsustainable. In our metros, countless professionals waste precious hours in soul-crushing commutes, reaching home when their children are already asleep. Our celebrated IT sector, for…

The mask has slipped. These are the moments when corporate leaders inadvertently drop their carefully cultivated public personas and reveal their true colours. SN Subrahmanyan, chairman and managing director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has given us precisely such a moment of clarity. In lamenting his inability to force employees to work on Sundays—complete with an astonishingly tone-deaf quip about spouses ‘merely staring at each other’ at home—Subrahmanyan hasn’t just sparked outrage. His endorsement of a 90-hour workweek, which drew criticism even from corporate peers such as RPG Group’s chairman, Harsh Goenka, has provided a masterclass in everything wrong with…