NHRDN - HR Bandit

Join Apoorva and Ankita in yet another fascinating episode of HR Bandit as they tackle September’s top workplace headlines shaping the future of work.  First, explore the rise of “AI workslop” — how low-quality AI-generated output might be quietly undermining productivity and what HR can do to promote smart AI use.  Next, navigate the evolving landscape of the working week, as Microsoft mandates three days in office, Spain rejects the four-day week, and Silicon Valley experiments with a taxing six-day schedule amid job market uncertainties.  Finally, get the scoop on Blind's CEO survey revealing nearly half of employees think their CEOs deserve performance improvement plans — featuring figures like Satya Nadella and Cristiano Amon.  Plus, don’t miss quick hits on profit-sharing at Hyundai, Ben & Jerry’s board changes, and a trailblazing remote work policy for new moms at Swiggy. Whether you’re an HR pro or workplace watcher, this episode delivers sharp analysis, real-world stories, and signature HR Bandit wit. Tune in for an essential reality check on work today! AI work slop [https://hbr.org/2025/09/ai-generated-workslop-is-destroying-productivity] Swiggy [https://www.linkedin.com/company/swiggy-in/] just gave working moms 1 full year of WFH after maternity leave. Microsoft [https://www.peoplematters.in/news/strategic-hr/after-mass-layoffs-microsoft-orders-staff-back-to-office-three-days-a-week-43501]back to 3 days in office  Spain rejects 4-day work week [https://www.peoplematters.in/news/economy-policy/spain-rejects-shorter-work-week-plan-even-as-global-four-day-trials-expand-43507] Blind CEO survey  [https://www.peoplematters.in/news/leadership/andy-jassy-satya-nadella-among-43percent-of-ceos-staff-say-they-deserve-a-pip-43528] 6 day work weeks in Silicon Valley [https://ramp.com/velocity/san-francisco-tech-workers-996-schedule?utm_source=linkedin] Ben & Jerry founder resigns [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g58xx1eero] Hyundai’s profit sharing [https://www.peoplematters.in/news/strategic-hr/hyundai-to-share-40percent-of-profits-with-korean-workers-in-bonus-deal-43534]

Join Ankita and Apoorva as they unpack the top three events that rocked the workplace this August!  First, dive into Silicon Valley's dramatic transformation into the 'hard-tech era,' where kombucha taps are out and GPU chips are in. In what might be this episode's most quotable moment (thanks, ChatGPT!), discover why companies risk becoming "technically strong but socially brittle" in this new landscape that signals a broader 'employee experience recession.' Then, explore the growing tension between corporate interests and employee activism as Microsoft makes headlines for controversial staff terminations. Plus, unravel the latest management revolution sweeping through Corporate America, where companies are slashing middle management by up to 35% - but at what cost? Stick around for our hosts' signature "three more" segment featuring fascinating updates from a Himalayan digital nomad hub, Meta's surprising AI hiring freeze, and one company's bold bet on workplace perks while others strip them away. Whether you're an HR professional navigating these changes or a curious observer of workplace evolution, this episode delivers sharp insights with HR Bandit's trademark blend of analysis and wit. Tune in for a reality check on where work is headed! 🏢🔄✨ Hard Tech Era [https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/how-ai-took-the-fun-out-of-silicon-valleys-work-culture/91223818] & more [https://archive.is/20250813180827/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/technology/ai-silicon-valley-hard-tech.html]  Microsoft Firings [https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/microsoft-fires-four-workers-for-on-site-protests-over-companys-ties-to-israel/123591179?utm_source=newslisting&utm_medium=latestNews]Google manager slashes  [https://www.peoplematters.in/news/strategic-hr/google-axes-35percent-of-small-team-managers-in-ruthless-efficiency-drive-43170] Digital nomad hub [https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2025/08/15/world-of-hr-small-himalayan-village-claims-to-be-india-s-first-for-digital-nomads] Meta’s AI hiring freeze  [https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/meta-ai-hiring-freeze-fda6b3c4?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAiqjJRE0_RX_x6xqUuYDVr-nMSym6zn1VbGvM-FlKbXbhB6cdX0LrfTcgHD7U4%3D&gaa_ts=68b3df68&gaa_sig=IImisu5K5X8bR0aFAtIaQO6F8cY3ScJArphHXxxExo6fcOSIVOXK94XzAKQUuF6IhwPDg9gNidtR1pjq5ImhFw%3D%3D] Myntra Perks  [https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace-4-0/workplace-ikigai/from-pickleball-courts-to-nap-pods-how-myntra-weaves-fun-into-its-work-fabric/123443075?utm_source=exclusives_widget&utm_medium=latestNews]

July has been a blockbuster month!  Soham Parekh made news by holding four tech jobs at once, Microsoft made GenAI mandatory for promotions, and Windsurf made some highly unpopular moves. If that wasn’t enough, superintelligence took over as the latest buzzword, and some more. Tune into our July episode to catch up on all of the news from the world of work and a slight insight into how the two hosts celebrated summer.  Soham Parekh’s hustles [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/05/soham-parekh-working-many-tech-jobs-at-once-takes-hustle-culture-to-extreme.html]  Microsoft’s AI memo [https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-internal-memo-using-ai-no-longer-optional-github-copilot-2025-6]  Goldman Asks Analysts to Swear They Haven’t Lined Up Private Equity Jobs [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/goldman-demands-oath-junior-bankers-150553924.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAH_8dnOm80o7KRC5Q2u-Y3lkKT6uWYbz0Rgt9js4deMeKV-cb4AL1aUMCCS-wq8pLk1e-zaMviOGR6kDw-Az0TeOP8eqLC6fEiEl1F4jRvAXHc-YAHxEfdnF51zc3dC5jdy0LJqHr4UcEJLPPUxPPsa_6XSXhJd5hOl3YMr6ISok] Windsurf sets dangerous precedent [https://www.businessinsider.com/people-in-tech-are-worried-windsurf-has-set-dangerous-precedent-2025-7] Dell’s fall in employee satisfaction [https://www.businessinsider.com/tell-dell-results-employee-satisfaction-falls-2025-7?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=business-author-post]   HUL gets first woman CEO [https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace-4-0/diversity-and-inclusion/hul-gets-first-woman-ceo-but-india-inc-still-far-from-gender-parity-at-the-top]  Quiet cracking  [https://www.hcamag.com/us/specialization/employee-engagement/quiet-cracking-new-workplace-trend-signalling-employee-unhappiness/542375]

This month, we're hitting pause on our regular format to tackle a burning question: Is HR at an inflection point? (Spoiler alert: Yes, and it's bigger than you think!) Join Ankita and Apoorva as they dive deep into three tectonic shifts reshaping the world of work - from the rise of nationalism affecting global talent strategies to Gen AI transforming entire departments, and the evolving relationship between employees and their work. Plus, catch the latest on Meta and OpenAI's talent war, where offers are reaching a jaw-dropping $100 million! Between summer plans and pasta dreams in Italy, your favorite hosts break down why HR professionals need to act now rather than wait for business commands. And yes, we still managed to squeeze in our signature rapid-fire news roundup! P.S: If you're reading this from your inbox while dealing with the "infinite workday" (we see you, Microsoft Work Trend Index), consider this your sign to plan that summer break! Moderna merges IT and HR department  [https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-moderna-merged-its-tech-and-hr-departments-95318c2a?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=ASWzDAjNCKVGDMKpjbMd9vfh0StbHodlJutfbs1Bbn57f6igSSHlukwvnVdLCqfn4XU%3D&gaa_ts=685fe759&gaa_sig=JcHHrq9yUqdbPG2bKYIkuwNaJrIB1hHBJPz-r-0gMAvfM6EVYqvqLTJzfS7aZO08AYNSRKIDf6cPcXnv9JzvQA%3D%3D] AI is doing 50% of work at Salesforce [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/26/ai-salesforce-benioff.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202025-06-27%20HR%20Dive:%20Talent%20%5Bissue:74429%5D&utm_term=HR%20Dive:%20Talent] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/breaking-down-infinite-workday [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/breaking-down-infinite-workday]

Join hosts Ankita and Apoorva for a milestone celebration as HR Bandit turns four! In this packed anniversary episode, our dynamic duo dives into three game-changing workplace trends that are reshaping how we work. First up, get ready for an eye-opening discussion on Microsoft's latest Work Trend Index and the emergence of the 'Frontier Firm' - where AI isn't just a tool, but your next coworker! Then, we tackle the sobering reality of gender diversity in the workplace, unpacking McKinsey's "Women in the Workplace 2025" report. Finally, discover why employees are taking unprecedented stands against leadership, from Tesla to Coinbase. But that's not all! We're introducing a special new segment featuring heartwarming messages from our amazing listeners who've been part of our journey. Plus, catch a sneak peek of next month's deep dive into HR's pivotal inflection point. Whether you're an HR professional, leader, or just curious about the future of work, this anniversary special delivers the perfect blend of insights, analysis, and celebration. Grab your favorite drink and join the party! 🎧✨ #HRBandit #WorkplaceTrends #HRPodcast #FutureOfWork" Microsoft Work Trend Index 2025 [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2025-the-year-the-frontier-firm-is-born]  Gender imbalance in entry level roles [https://m.economictimes.com/jobs/hr-policies-trends/women-hold-just-33-pc-pc-of-entry-level-roles-in-private-jobs-in-india-report/amp_articleshow/121166291.cms] Tesla employees open letter [https://www.hrkatha.com/global-hr-news/tesla-employees-demand-elon-musks-resignation/] Coinbase employees responsible for data leak [https://www.hrkatha.com/global-hr-news/were-coinbase-employees-responsible-for-data-leak-to-hacker/]Microsoft [https://www.humanresourcesonline.net/microsoft-to-reportedly-lay-off-3-of-global-workforce-as-part-of-organisational-changes]and Burberry [https://www.humanresourcesonline.net/burberry-s-sweeping-cost-saving-push-to-see-about-1-700-roles-being-impacted-globally;] Layoffs Workday Class Action [https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/news-insights/discrimination-lawsuit-over-workdays-ai-hiring-tools-can-proceed-as-class-action-6-things.html]  Moderna merges tech and HR teams [https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnwinsor/2025/05/14/moderna-is-rewriting-the-enterprise-playbook/]  Ankita's blog [https://thehrbpstory.com/] Apoorva's blog  [https://ofhrandmore.wordpress.com/]