HR News: 23 Jan, 2017

1.

Beat workplace stress: Nestle allows pet dogs in UK factory

The Switzerland headquartered multinational has decided to open its doors to pets, agreeing to the fact that dogs are workplace stress busters. 

Workplace stress has been itching organisations and employees alike, as it takes a toll on the physical and mental well-being of the employees, and consequently, impacts business results. In short, it results in productivity loss and poor output. Businesses have been trying various ways to combat workplace stress, and in that endeavour, Nestle has taken a unique route.

Nestle, with its headquarters in Switzerland, has decided to open its doors to pets, agreeing to the fact that dogs are workplace stress busters. The company has a pet food factory at Sudbury in the UK, where employees will now be able to come to work with their pets. Being the first company ever in the UK to have allowed pets in the workplace, this is also the first time Nestle itself has ever allowed dogs or any other pets within any of its premises.

2.

Microsoft to cut 700 jobs as part of its previous announcement

The company is reportedly going to begin the trimming during its earnings call on 26 January.

In line with its previous announcement of plans to cut 2,850 jobs by June 2017, Microsoft is reportedly going to begin the trimming with an announcement of cutting down about 700 jobs during its earnings call on 26 January.

Apparently, most of the 2,850 roles that may be cut have already been eliminated. The cuts may not be concentrated in any particular area, but are part of an effort to update skills across the company.

The company had over 114,000 employees as of 30 June, 2016, the end of its last fiscal year. At the same, it has over 1,000 open positions that it's seeking to fill through LinkedIn.

The cuts, not being specific, may reportedly range from the company's worldwide offices and business units, including sales, marketing, human resources, engineering, finance and more.

3.

Air India staff to get a pay raise after long wait.

Having turned operationally profitable in the last financial year, after about five years, Air India will now give a 2 per cent salary hike.

Following a few difficult years of dying profits and mounting losses, the national air carrier, Air India, has reportedly decided to provide a salary hike to its permanent staff. With things looking better, after about five years of poor revenue, Air India has now decided to give a two per cent salary hike to its permanent employees.

Aided by lower fuel costs and rise in passenger numbers, Air India posted an operational profit of Rs 105 crore in the last financial year. It was also the first time in a decade that the carrier turned operationally profitable.

In a communication to employees, Air India’s executive director, A Jayachandran, recently shared that in view of the last fiscal’s operating profit, the company has decided that the yearly increment rate—for all categories of permanent employees of Air India and its employees posted in subsidiaries—will be applicable at two per cent.