Akash Deep turns tragedy into ten-fer after years of toil in record-breaking Birmingham outing
Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Chris Paul hints retirement looms after 2025-26 NBA season
(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Narayan Murthi's Infosys HR sends warning emails to employees working more than 9 hours 15 minutes with new policy implementation
Infosys work‑hour warning emails have emerged as a stark reminder of the evolving culture within India's second-largest IT services firm. The company's HR team is now sending personalised alerts to employees who exceed 9 hours and 15 minutes of daily work, particularly during remote shifts—a marked departure from founder N. R. Narayana Murthy's push for a 70-hour workweek . By automating tracking of remote hours and issuing detailed notifications, Infosys is prioritising employee well-being, work-life balance, and long-term productivity over traditional hustle culture. As the hybrid work model becomes standard, this move highlights the rising emphasis on guarding against burnout and protecting mental and physical health. Why did the HR warn Infosys employees? In stark contrast to founder N.R. Narayana Murthy's previous support for a 70-hour workweek, India's second-largest IT services business, Infosys, has started issuing tailored warning letters to staff members who work longer than usual. An automated monitoring system has been put in place by the Bengaluru-based company, which sends out alarms when staff members work longer than nine hours and fifteen minutes per day. An employee told The Economic Times, "We have to work 9.15 hours a day, five days a week, and if we go overboard while working remotely, it sets off a trigger." The company's HR department now keeps track of remote working hours on a monthly basis and notifies employees in detail when they go beyond the allotted time. Infosys keeps an eye on remote work schedules to avoid burnout The monitoring mechanism was implemented after Infosys's 323,500 employees were given hybrid work arrangements. HR provides thorough notifications that include details regarding remote working days, total hours worked, and daily averages when excessive hours are identified. According to the company's workplace policy, which was enacted in November 2023, employees must be in the office for at least ten days every month. The HR message examined by the financial daily reads, "While we appreciate your commitment, we also believe that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for both your well-being and long-term professional success." The emails stress the advantages of putting one's health and work-life balance first for both one's own well-being and career success. Policy changes in the Indian IT sector are driven by health concerns This program comes as worries about young tech workers' health problems—especially heart problems linked to irregular eating and sleeping habits—are becoming more prevalent. Among the particular suggestions made by the company are the following: "Take regular breaks during your workday; Let your manager know if you are feeling overwhelmed or need support with reviewing priorities." In contrast to Narayana Murthy's recent claims that Indians should work 70 hours a week to boost economic growth, the proposal marks a substantial shift. The action aligns with changing workplace standards in the Indian IT industry, where long hours are becoming less important than sustained productivity and employee mental wellness.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hoping for a US H-1B visa? Donald Trump administration's stringent scrutiny likely; Indians should be prepared for...
As the primary recipients of the H1-B programme, Indian nationals were particularly impacted by visa rejections. (AI image) NEW DELHI: If you are an H-1B visa applicant or aspirant, it's important to be prepared for longer wait times, higher denial rates, and 'novel issues'. Immigration experts suggest that H-1B visa applicants to the United States should anticipate higher rejection rates, extended processing periods and additional paperwork requirements during US President Donald Trump's second term. The application submission deadline for this fiscal year was extended by 24 hours last week, following technical issues experienced by applicants. The USCIS selected 120,141 applications through a lottery system in March from the total registrations received. The H-1B visa programme has an annual cap of 85,000 visas. H-1B Visa: What Should Indians Be Prepared For? A Pew Research Centre study revealed that strict evaluation of H-1B applications led to a 15% rejection rate in 2018 under the first Trump administration. The rejection rate decreased to 3% during the Biden administration's tenure. As the primary recipients of the H1-B programme, utilised by both Indian and American organisations for US worker deployment, Indian nationals were particularly impacted by visa rejections. Also Read | What is EB-5 visa? With Donald Trump administration cracking down on student visas, Indians explore this route for a path to Green Card Wait times are expected to increase, similar to patterns observed during Trump's initial presidency, according to Boundless Immigration founder Xiao Wang. Joel Yanovich, an immigration solicitor at Murthy Law Firm, told ET: "We do expect to eventually start seeing increased scrutiny of H-1B petitions. Given what we saw during Trump's first term in office, and the administration's general scepticism of the positive impact of immigration, it is important to be prepared for what is very likely coming." Immigration platform Jeelani Law Firm notes that USCIS processing durations extended by 12-36 months during 2016-2020, when Donald Trump served his first term as president. Beyond extended processing periods, Wang highlights an uptick in requests for evidence (RFE), requiring additional documentation. Industry specialists are readying themselves for this development. The Visa Code founder Gnanamookan Senthurjothi had earlier told ET that alongside RFEs, the post-approval visa stamping and issuance process has lengthened, stretching from a few days to approximately four weeks. Yanovich from Murthy Law Firm acknowledged the increased difficulties in visa stamping and unexpected modifications in H1B petition evaluations, particularly regarding end-client documentation requirements during Trump's initial presidential term. "Perhaps more concerning, however, was how novel issues started popping up during Trump's first term. For instance, in 2017, the administration issued a memo that resulted in the USCIS routinely questioning H1B petitions for wage level 1 positions. My recommendation is to operate under the assumption that the H-1B petition will face added scrutiny and prepare accordingly," he said according to the financial daily. Also Read | 'Like H-1B without a lottery': What is O-1 visa? New route to US becomes popular among Indians; check details What's the alternative to H-1B? With heightened examination, applicants are exploring different visa options, including L-1 for temporary intracompany transfers to the US, and investment-based EB-5 visas. Immigration specialists report that EB-5 applications have increased by 50% since January. Additionally, there is growing interest in L-1 visas and O-1 visas, designed for individuals with exceptional abilities or significant achievements in their respective fields. Yanovich noted that whilst this increased interest partly stems from unsuccessful H-1B lottery participants, it also reflects employers and individuals seeking to avoid H-1B complications. Some candidates are also pursuing EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver), a category designated for advanced degree holders working in roles beneficial to US national interests. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
