Total Pageviews

Friday 19 January 2024

HR News: 19 Jan, 2024

 1.

Big changes at TCS: Headcount shrinks, campus hiring uncertain, but variable pay stays strong

The company cited efficiency measures in a 'low-demand' setting, pointing to voluntary departures over layoffs. India’s IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is undergoing significant changes, with headcount falling for the second consecutive quarter and campus hiring plans clouded by uncertainty. While the company remains confident in its talent strategy, the shift is raising questions about its future trajectory. Headcount drops, hiring plans blurred; TCS saw its employee base shrink by 5,680 in the three months ending December, bringing the total to 6.03 lakhs. This follows a similar decline in the previous quarter. The company attributed the reduction to maintaining efficiency in a ‘reduced demand’ environment, suggesting voluntary attrition rather than layoffs. However, the future of campus hiring remains up in the air. Unlike previous years, TCS hasn’t set a target for freshers in the coming financial year. In a media report, CHRO Milind Lakkad said the number will depend on the ‘overall situation’ and their focus on efficiency, leaving the door open for further headcount reductions. Upskilling and variable pay boost; Despite the headcount decline, TCS is confident in its talent strategy. In a media report, Lakkad emphasised their focus on upskilling and internal talent development, highlighting their training programmes for Generative AI and other emerging technologies. Transfer complaints tackled; Addressing a key concern raised by unions, TCS’s HR head acknowledged the issue of forced employee transfers. While reiterating the value of mobility in IT careers, he assured that transfers would be executed with ‘greater sensitivity and transparency’. Mixed signals for the future; TCS’s changing landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. While the headcount decline and uncertain hiring plans raise concerns about the company’s growth strategy, their focus on upskilling and strong financial performance offer a positive outlook.

 

2.

Behind the cuts: Audible CEO justifies layoffs as essential for future growth /.

The CEO, Bob Carrigan, blames ‘challenging landscape’ in memo to employeesIn a move echoing similar cost-cutting efforts across Amazon, Audible’s CEO Bob Carrigan has announced the reduction of approximately 5 per cent of the company’s workforce. While acknowledging the pain this decision inflicts, Carrigan’s statement sheds light on the rationale behind the layoffs, painting a picture of a challenging landscape and a strategic shift for the audiobook giant.


3.

Bosses: The surprising reason people ditch the office: Study


A Beyond survey found 30% of employees purposely skip the office when their boss is present, citing discomfort with their supervisors as the primary reason. In a twist worthy of a corporate sitcom, the very people pushing for a return to the office may be the ones inadvertently driving employees to remote shores. Yes, we’re talking about the boss, whose mere presence is sending employees scurrying for the nearest Zoom link. A recent online survey of 1,262 British employees (both part time and full time), conducted by Beyond, a UK-based HR consultancy, in partnership with Opium polling institute,  revealed that a whopping 30 per cent of employees deliberately avoid the office when their boss is in.

No comments:

Post a Comment