HR News: 5 Jan, 2024

 1.

Why January is prime season for pink slips: A tech insider’s view

Former Microsoft HR chief sheds light on the hidden timing of layoffs and offers advice for navigating the aftermath. As the tech world reeled from the recent wave of layoffs, a surprising explanation emerged from Microsoft’s former HR vice president, Chris Williams: January’s abundance of pink slips isn’t mere coincidence. It’s a calculated manoeuver driven by a blend of corporate optics and cold financial realities. While managers may kick off the year with pep talks and fresh beginnings, Williams reveals a stark contrast in the executive suite. The new year brings not just resolutions but also a ruthless pursuit of restructuring and rapid results. Layoffs become an unfortunate tool to achieve these goals, fuelled by the pressure to deliver before shareholders get impatient. However, sentiment plays a role too. “Executives may have considered layoffs earlier,” Williams admits, “but the holidays are sacrosanct.” Layoffs during this time, he argues, are seen as “in poor taste,” prompting a strategic delay until January. This calculated timing, he suggests, reflects a balancing act between expediency and maintaining a semblance of corporate empathy.

 

2.

J&K Court Upholds Fair Process for Contract Workers

Court upholds natural justice principles, requiring inquiry before dismissal based on misconduct allegations. The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has delivered a significant ruling, affirming the right of contract workers to fair process and safeguarding them from arbitrary dismissal. In a case involving the termination of employees from the J&K Handicrafts Corporation, Justice M.A. Chowdhary established that termination based solely on accusations, without providing an opportunity for defense, breaches the fundamental principles of natural justice. The case centred around petitioners employed on a contingent basis by the corporation. Their abrupt termination stemmed from an ‘Alert Note’ issued by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) alleging irregularities in their appointments. However, the court, represented by senior advocate Z.A.

3.

Tata Motors union pursues worker regularisation and system preservation

Jamshedpur meeting seeks progress on key issues, following talks with corporate chiefs. The Tata Motors Workers Union in Jamshedpur held a critical meeting on December 27, following a major discussion with senior corporate officials in Pune. The focus centred on two key demands: the regularisation of temporary employees and the preservation of the longstanding employee ward system. Union president Gurmeet Singh Tote and general secretary RK Singh, fresh from their Pune talks, sought to update officials on the situation and the union’s strategy. They reiterated their firm stance on regularising temporary staff and opposing further transfers, highlighting the importance of job security and stability. The employee ward system, a vital local representation body, also received strong backing from the union leadership. They emphasised its continued relevance and urged its preservation.