HCL Technologies reported a marginal sequential decline in its workforce during the December quarter of FY26, even as the company continued to onboard fresh graduates and saw further easing in employee attrition. The movement reflects a calibrated approach to talent management rather than a sharp hiring slowdown.
The Noida-based IT services firm said its total employee count fell by a net 261 during the quarter, bringing the overall workforce to 2,26,379 at the end of December. This decline came despite the addition of 2,852 freshers in the same period, indicating that exits and selective role rationalisation offset new hires.
The latest numbers mark a shift from the previous quarter, when HCLTech reported stronger net additions. In the September quarter of FY26, the company added 3,489 employees on a net basis, reversing a small decline recorded in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Fresher hiring has remained a consistent focus, with more than 7,000 graduates added in the first half of FY26 alone.
Employee churn continued to trend lower. Voluntary attrition eased to 12.4 per cent on a trailing twelve-month basis, compared with 13.2 per cent a year earlier. The decline suggests improving retention across the organisation and aligns with a broader stabilisation seen in the Indian IT services industry after elevated post-pandemic attrition.
The workforce changes came in a quarter when the company posted healthy revenue growth and improvement in operating margins. However, profitability was impacted by one-time costs, including restructuring-related expenses and provisions linked to new labour codes. Despite these pressures, the company announced an interim dividend, signalling confidence in its financial position.
Overall, the latest workforce data points to a measured strategy, with HCLTech balancing fresher intake, attrition control and productivity as it navigates a cautious yet stable demand environment.
