Author: Dr. Prajjal Saha | HRKatha

The sudden contraction of a role can feel like a career earthquake. What was once a sprawling landscape of responsibilities is now a confined territory. This shift, often termed ‘scope reduction’, can be a jarring experience, triggering feelings of devaluation and uncertainty. Such a reduction often triggers a cascade of emotions. Feelings of diminished worth are common. An HR manager, once overseeing the entire spectrum of human resources, might find themselves relegated to the training department. It’s a jarring shift that can erode job satisfaction and cast doubt on future career prospects. The psychological toll of such reductions cannot be…

The workforce of tomorrow demands a radical departure from yesterday’s talent management strategies. As organisations grapple with rapid change, skill gaps, and the relentless pursuit of innovation, the solution may lie in a surprising place: employee exchange. Gone are the days of insular talent development. Today, the most forward-thinking organisations are recognising the power of swapping employees. TVS Mobility’s recent partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation to launch the TVS Mobility Mitsubishi Employee Exchange Programme (TMMEEP) is a groundbreaking example. By swapping employees for specialised training, both companies are investing in their future workforce and fostering a culture of continuous learning. But…

The conventional wisdom in HR has long been that retaining employees is more cost-effective than hiring new ones. While this holds true in many cases, it’s a simplistic overgeneralisation that can obscure the complexities of talent management. A global survey by Hudson RPO revealed a sobering truth: even with a 30 per cent pay raise, 44 per cent of employees are unlikely to stay with their current employer. This suggests that financial incentives alone are often insufficient to retain talent. The allure of new opportunities, career growth, and work-life balance often outweigh monetary compensation. Moreover, long-term employees can become complacent,…

The HR technology landscape has transformed from a modest clearing into a dense jungle. Once a realm of basic systems for payroll and attendance, it’s now a sprawling ecosystem of SaaS platforms catering to every conceivable aspect of the employee lifecycle. A recent CB Insights report projects this market to balloon into a $43 billion industry by 2026. Once confined to basic administrative tools, HR technology has evolved into a strategic asset capable of driving business outcomes. The pandemic accelerated this transformation, forcing organisations to rapidly adopt new HR technologies to manage remote workforces, ensure employee well-being, and navigate economic…

The symbiotic relationship between CEOs and CHROs has transcended its traditional boundaries, evolving into a strategic partnership that is reshaping the corporate landscape. No longer confined to administrative tasks, HR has emerged as a pivotal force, driving business growth and innovation. This metamorphosis was catalysed by the pandemic, which thrust HR into the spotlight as organisations grappled with unprecedented challenges. From managing remote workforces to navigating mental health crises, CHROs demonstrated their ability to be strategic partners, not just administrative support functions. The modern CEO recognises that talent is a company’s most valuable asset. The CEO, armed with a visionary…

The corporate world is undergoing a generational shift. As the last of the Baby Boomers, born before 1965, reach retirement age, a power vacuum is emerging. Gen X, those born between 1965 and 1980, is ascending to leadership roles, but not without its share of challenges. For years, the spotlight has been on other generations. Baby Boomers were the visionaries who set the rules. Baby Boomers were the undisputed architects of corporate culture. Their vision and drive shaped industries, and Generation X, often seen as the ‘latchkey kids’, followed in their footsteps. Millennials, the digital natives, have been celebrated for…

The role of the middle manager is undergoing a profound metamorphosis. The middle manager, once a bulwark of corporate hierarchies, is now in the crosshairs of disruptive forces. A perfect storm of automation, organisational restructuring, and evolving workforce expectations is challenging the very existence of this managerial tier. Live Data Technologies paints a stark picture: job cuts targeting middle managers surged by 30 per cent in 2023, up from 20 per cent in 2018. Major corporations such as Bayer and Citigroup are actively eliminating these roles, favouring flatter organisational structures and self-directed teams. The spectre of automation looms large, with…

The antiquated performance management system, a relic of the industrial age, stands as a stark contrast to the dynamic, digital workplace of today. The annual performance review, once a cornerstone of organisational development, has become a bureaucratic burden, devoid of meaning and impact. Gallup’s sobering statistics underscore the crisis: a mere 2 per cent of CHROs from Fortune 500 companies believe their performance management systems inspire employees to improve. The data speaks volumes: employees echo this sentiment, with only one in five reporting that their performance reviews are transparent, fair, or conducive to performance enhancement. This disconnect between leadership and…

The digital age, once hailed as a democratiser of opportunity, has been subverted into a breeding ground for deception. The once innocuous practice of resume embellishment has evolved into a sophisticated, AI-driven manipulation of reality. This phenomenon, dubbed ‘resume fiction’, poses a grave threat to the integrity of the hiring process, undermining the very foundations of fair and effective recruitment. Job seekers, armed with generative AI tools, are crafting digital personas that bear little resemblance to their true capabilities. Gone are the days of subtle exaggerations; today, candidates can fabricate entire work histories, invent skills, and even plagiarise job descriptions…

The tectonic plates of the corporate world are shifting, and HR is at the epicentre of this seismic change. A perfect storm of factors—a volatile economy, the Great Resignation, the rise of AI, and the growing emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B)—is forcing HR departments to reinvent themselves. Historically, HR has been the unsung hero of the corporate world. Today, it’s in the spotlight, under intense scrutiny. Employees demand more than just a paycheck; they seek purpose, growth, and well-being. The challenge for HR is to deliver on these expectations while navigating a complex and rapidly changing landscape.…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent budget unveiled an ambitious blueprint to revitalise India’s workforce. At its core are three innovative employment-linked incentive schemes designed to catalyse job creation, empower workers, and propel economic growth. These initiatives, aligned with the Prime Minister’s broader economic vision, aim to stimulate employment and support both individuals and businesses. While these measures represent a significant step forward, their efficacy hinges on meticulous implementation and the adept navigation of potential challenges. The first scheme, a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) initiative, offers a substantial cash incentive of up to Rs 15,000 to new entrants into the formal…

The corporate world is grappling with a perplexing paradox. Once a cornerstone of progressive business practices, DEI is now under siege. The recent, high-profile decisions by Microsoft and SHRM to drop the ‘E’ from their DEI initiatives are symptomatic of a broader, troubling trend. The narrative has shifted. Equity, once hailed as the cornerstone of creating truly inclusive workplaces, is now being painted as a divisive force. Critics argue that equity equates to preferential treatment, undermining principles of meritocracy. They contend that focusing on equity exacerbates divisions and creates a climate of resentment. This backlash has been amplified by a…

The conventional wisdom has long cast employees as the primary proponents of remote work, while painting managers as defenders of the traditional office. But a seismic shift in perspective is underway. New research is upending this narrative, revealing a surprising truth: it’s managers, not employees, who are most resistant to returning to the office. A recent Gartner study sent shockwaves through the HR community. It revealed that a staggering 33 per cent of executives would consider leaving their current employer if faced with a mandatory return-to-office mandate. In stark contrast, only 19 per cent of non-executives shared this sentiment. This…

The winds of change are sweeping through the workplace, and a new conductor has emerged: GenerativeAI (GenAI). However, anxieties surrounding job displacement paint a dystopian picture. Let’s dispel these concerns and explore how GenAI can orchestrate a magnificent symphony of human and machine collaboration, elevating, not eliminating, jobs. The misconception that GenAI eliminates entire jobs is a discordant note. Jobs are intricate tapestries woven from individual tasks. GenAI will undoubtedly transform these tasks, but it won’t erase the need for human ingenuity. While some tasks are better suited for machines due to their tireless efficiency, others demand the irreplaceable human…

The corporate world clings to a tattered myth: tenure equals dedication. In today’s whirlwind of disruption, blind loyalty to a company logo is a fading echo. What truly matters is the invested employee – the one who pours his/her heart and soul into work, regardless of the years on their badge. Picture the company’s founder, eyes ablaze with passion and purpose, the one who built this place from the ground up. That’s the kind of energy one is looking for – not blind loyalty to a logo, but unwavering dedication to the mission. Tenure, however, is a smokescreen. Some employees…

Welcome to the cutthroat world of the C-suite, where CEOs reign supreme and survival is the name of the game. But for HR leaders, it’s a particularly rough ride. A recent Xpheno study has revealed a shocking truth: CHROs (Chief Human Resources Officers) in India Inc. are abandoning ship at an alarming rate! We’re talking a staggering 20 per cent churn, compared to a sleepy 11.6 per cent for CEOs and a snooze-worthy 5.6 per cent for CFOs. Why are HR leaders jumping ship at such a frenetic pace? There be a two-headed monster at the helm of this mutiny.…

The business landscape is a hurricane – climate change whips one way, technological disruption disrupts the other, and a swirling workforce spins in the centre. In this tempest, a new hero emerges: the Superhero CHRO (chief human resources officer). No longer confined to the back office, this strategic titan is reshaping HR, wielding the power to propel companies towards a thriving future. The evidence is irrefutable. A recent PwC report screams a chilling truth: nearly 40 per cent of CEOs fear their companies won’t survive a decade on their current course. This isn’t a drill, folks. It’s a desperate plea…

Netflix has long fascinated HR professionals with its distinctive company culture. Its famed ‘culture memo’, a document meticulously outlining their unique approach to work, has been dissected, emulated, and critiqued in equal measure. The recently revised memo offers a fresh perspective on how Netflix cultivates its ‘Dream Team’ through a blend of radical transparency, high performance expectations, and a delicate balance between freedom and responsibility. The original memo, known for its blunt honesty, could be a bit of a culture shock. Remember the infamous ‘keeper test’? The one that posed a pointed question to managers: ‘Would you fight to retain…

A recent social-media storm, ignited by a tech worker’s tell-all exit interview video, has reignited a fiery debate: Are exit interviews — a mainstay of HR practices — becoming relics of the past? In today’s world, where platforms such as Blind and Glassdoor allow employees to vent anonymously, do these confidential conversations still hold value? For years, HR professionals have questioned the effectiveness of exit interviews. Fearful of burning bridges and jeopardising future prospects, departing employees may sugarcoat their feedback. Vijay Sinha, EVP-HR, JSW, pinpoints the decline: “Employees worried negativity would hurt their references. This resulted in sanitised responses, rendering…

A recent news story sparked debate: an employee received a warning for watching Netflix, shopping online, and using Instagram during office hours. Traditionally, workplaces have been designed for focused work, and personal entertainment may be seen as a productivity drain. However, the modern workplace is evolving. Many companies recognise the value of flexibility and mental breaks in boosting employee well-being and performance. Short, controlled breaks for personal activities can help employees recharge and return to tasks with renewed focus. The challenge lies in finding the right balance. While complete bans on personal activity seem outdated, unrestricted access can negatively impact…

In the ever-competitive world of IT services, staying ahead requires a constant influx of talent and expertise. Happiest Minds Technologies, a young company led by industry veteran Ashok Soota, has carved a distinct niche for itself through a strategic approach to acquisitions: acqui-hiring. It’s not just about acquiring companies and their assets, but rather strategically bringing their talent on board to fuel Happiest Minds’ ambitious growth trajectory. With a clear vision of reaching $1 billion by 2031, Happiest Minds isn’t afraid to make bold moves. It has an ambitious goal, fuelled not just by organic growth, but by carefully-chosen acquisitions.…

The 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal serves as a stark reminder of the consequences companies face when environmental considerations are neglected. The German auto giant’s deliberate deception shattered consumer trust, resulting in boycotts, plummeting sales and a blemish on the brand’s reputation. Similar ethical lapses have plagued other global brands. Swedish retail giant H&M has faced scrutiny for its labour practices, while the ubiquitous Nestlé has been criticised for its water extraction practices in developing countries. Today’s consumers are more discerning than ever. They hold brands accountable for their entire ecosystem—not just the products themselves, but also the actions of their…

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors are swiftly reshaping the corporate landscape, transcending their niche status to become central pillars for long-term value creation by organisations. This transformation signifies the acknowledgment that sustainable business practices are not merely ethical choices but also catalysts for operational efficiency, innovation and competitive advantage. Emerging from its nascent stage in India, ESG is gaining substantial traction, especially among large corporations and multinational companies (MNCs). While smaller companies are yet to fully embrace it, the mandated ESG reporting under the Companies Act is anticipated to serve as a catalyst for broader adoption in the future.…

We’re a decade in, and guess what? We’re just getting started! Ten years ago, HRKatha emerged amidst a landscape starved of knowledge. We identified a critical need – the dissemination of industry insights – and filled that void with a pioneering daily news service delivered directly to HR professionals. This seemingly modest decision proved to be a cornerstone, fostering a unique niche for HRKatha within India’s human resources domain. The intervening decade has been a whirlwind of transformation for the world of work. Automation’s relentless march, the white-hot competition for skilled talent, and the burgeoning focus on employee well-being have…

Imagine a massive cargo ship, the Maersk Eagerness, caught in a frantic race against the clock. The crew scrambles to load and unload containers at breakneck speed, chasing ever-increasing throughput targets. But their relentless pursuit of speed backfires spectacularly. As containers pile up on the docks, bottlenecks form, grinding operations to a halt. The culprit? Flawed performance metrics, focused solely on speed and ignoring the ripple effects on the entire system. This cautionary tale highlights the shortcomings of traditional performance measurement. Often rooted in intuition and gut feeling, these metrics can lead to myopic evaluations, blind to the interconnected web…

‘Compliance’ is a word that often triggers aversion. Whether it’s seen as a cumbersome exercise or an additional financial burden, the benefits of compliance can be overshadowed by the challenges of implementation. The Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act is no exception. While some companies view compliance with the PoSH Act as a mandatory task, there’s a significant number that seek to sidestep what they consider an added financial obligation. Ignorance plays a pivotal role in this reluctance, with concerns that implementing the PoSH Act may lead to an influx of sexual-harassment complaints. The fear stems from the idea that…