The last few weeks have seen a series of high-profile legal battles involving Cognizant and its rivals Wipro and Infosys over allegations that the former is involved in talent poaching and breach of non-compete clauses by hiring top executives from the latter. While Wipro and Infosys are headquartered in India, Cognizant is headquartered in the United States, though the majority of its workforce is based out of India. Wipro filed a lawsuit against its former Senior Vice President, Mohd Haque, based in the United States, for alleged breach of confidentiality and non-compete contract clauses by joining Cognizant before the expiration…

A chartered plane carrying 303 Indian passengers from Fujairah airport in the United Arab Emirates to Nicaragua had stopped for a technical halt in France last week. The French authorities detained the flight based on a tip-off that this was a case of human trafficking. It was suspected that the passengers were mainly workers in UAE who were moving to Nicaragua and were trying to attempt illegal entry to the US or Canada. The passengers included some unaccompanied minors and even a 21-month-old infant as well. Nicaragua is a Central American nation set between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean…

Sanjay is a software engineer with a US multinational company that specializes in software as a service. He has been with the company for four years, which is a notable achievement given the current trend of employees frequently changing jobs. Despite his success, he is seeking a new challenge and has applied for external positions. He has received four offers and is undecided about which one to accept, as all of them are equally attractive. He is also concerned about how his career will progress if he makes the calculated decision to leave his current job while he is doing…

During his frequent business trips across India, Ashok had the opportunity to explore various roadside restaurants. On a recent journey from Bengaluru to Chennai, he encountered a compelling illustration of how training and effective management can dramatically influence the success of such establishments. Contrasting Experiences: “Traveler’s Delight” and “Highway Cuisine” Ashok’s journey commenced with a breakfast stop at Traveler’s Delight, nestled along the Bengaluru-Chennai Highway. Upon entering the restaurant, he was immediately struck by the lively atmosphere. Despite the bustling activity, it operated seamlessly, resembling a well-orchestrated symphony. Tables were brimming with diners, yet an air of contentment prevailed. The…

Last year, a LinkedIn post by the CEO of a popular Indian personal care and grooming solutions startup sparked debate on toxic work culture. In his post, the CEO emphasized the need to “worship work” and to put in “18-hour days” in the initial years to build a successful career rather than focusing on things like work-life balance, spending time with family, and rejuvenation. After much criticism, he clarified that all he meant is the importance of hard work in the initial years to build a strong foundation for a successful career. In another instance, when asked about allegations of…

Alexa is an experienced software development professional with four years of core software development experience. She worked as a Module Lead in a leading software-as-a-service company and joined the company right after graduating in computer science engineering, recruited as a fresher from campus. Having mastered multiple technologies and programming languages like C#, .NET, and Go Lang, along with hands-on experience in cutting-edge projects, she sought to explore opportunities beyond her comfort zone. She embarked on a job search and applied for positions through various portals and company career websites. Recruiters from multiple companies reached out to her, and she attended…

In a compelling case study, a prominent Indian IT consulting and services multinational found itself vying against industry titans for a lucrative, long-term project from a global financial powerhouse. Despite fierce competition, the company secured victory in a grueling bidding war by pledging to deliver the project at a substantially reduced cost compared to its rivals. In a bid to ensure even a marginal profit, the organization was compelled to undertake the project with a considerably leaner workforce. While the upper echelons of leadership celebrated their hard-fought triumph, the sentiment on the ground was decidedly less optimistic. Within the team,…

Why are layoffs happening in the tech industry? Life has come full circle in three years of covid-19 pandemic for the tech industry. At the height of the pandemic in 2021, companies were grappling with the “Great Resignation” thanks to the increasing demand for digitalization and the limited availability of a skilled talent pool. However, as the pandemic has subsided in 2022, tech companies have come to realize that the pandemic-induced digital growth is not sustainable. Additionally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has disrupted global trade and caused rising inflation, pushing economies into recession. As a result,…

In 2022, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the most influential cricket governing body announced gender parity for cricketers in India following New Zealand. The year 2023 has been even more encouraging for women in cricket. The inaugural edition of the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) in March 2023 concluded with Mumbai Indians crowned champions, although it has taken 15 long years for the glass ceiling to be broken by women cricketers in India after the men’s IPL began in 2008. In a historic decision, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced in July 2023 that men’s and…

The debate around moonlighting in the technology sector has gained much attention in recent times. To the uninitiated, moonlighting refers to the act of working at an extra job, especially without telling your main employer (Cambridge Dictionary). Many global technology companies have come out against moonlighting as an issue of ethical and legal concern. Indian IT major Wipro announced in September 2022 that it had terminated about 300 employees who were found to be working simultaneously for their competitors. On the other hand, Swiggy, the Indian online food ordering and delivery platform has come out with a moonlighting policy that…

As March comes, it marks the end of the financial year for many countries like the UK, India, and Japan. For businesses, this is the time to review and close their business accounts. For employees, it is about completing their performance appraisals and gearing up for increments and promotions. Sathish is a software developer working in an Indian IT multinational corporation (MNC) in Hyderabad. This is his second appraisal cycle after graduating from college, and he is eager to receive feedback on his performance and set goals for the future. However, he is busy with project deliverables and works late…

As the flight touched down at Chennai International Airport at quarter past midnight, Aditya was relieved to be back in the city after a long business trip. He quickly booked a cab through a ride-hailing app to take him home to Anna Nagar. The cab driver, Rajesh, requested that he be paid a tip of Rs. 100 above the bill amount, which Aditya agreed to reluctantly. The car glided through the night, and Aditya decided to break the silence, curious about Rajesh’s life as a gig worker. With the gentle Chennai breeze rustling Rajesh’s hair, he began to share his…

Dear Valued Readers, On this Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September in the United States, Insightsonwork.com extends its heartfelt greetings. This day serves as a tribute to the contributions of American workers, highlighting their integral role in the nation’s economy and society. Tracing the Origins of US Labor Day Understanding the historical backdrop of Labor Day provides insights into its significance. In the aftermath of the American Civil War (1861-1865), the United States underwent a rapid and unchecked industrial expansion. This period of growth brought forth new opportunities and urban development yet was marred by harsh working…