Offrd Times · Wednesday, 20 May 2026

In this edition UP proposes two day weekly work from home for IT firms and startups · Mospi opens ASUSE survey to better capture handloom and handicraft sector · 6 more items below.

Policy

UP proposes two day weekly work from home for IT firms and startups

People Matters · Reported 10:00 am IST

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has asked officials to encourage IT firms, startups and large industrial units to allow two days of work from home each week, the state may issue a formal advisory. The push is part of a wider fuel conservation and austerity drive after Prime Minister Modi's appeal. Adityanath also ordered cuts in official vehicle use, staggered office timings and wider use of virtual meetings in the state secretariat. SME read, smaller IT and services firms in UP should expect customer and vendor calendars to shift.

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Delhi HC says piece rate workers can still qualify as employees

The Delhi High Court has ruled that workers paid on piece rate can still qualify as employees if their work is carried out under an employer's supervision and control. In a 14 May order, the court directed a garment company to pay 1.25 lakh rupees to a tailor dismissed without notice in 1999. The court said payment structure alone does not decide employment status, only control and dependency do. SME read, manufacturing units that classify workers as piece rate contractors should re check their facts on control.

HR Katha · 5:45 pm

Practice

NIOS and Medhavi Skills University sign MoU on work integrated learning

The National Institute of Open Schooling and Medhavi Skills University have signed a memorandum of understanding to link school education, vocational education and higher education through credit transfer, joint certifications and industry based learning centres. The MoU, signed on 18 May, covers apprenticeship embedded diplomas, work integrated learning programmes and digital learning platforms. NIOS Secretary Shakeel Ahmad and MSU pro chancellor Kuldip Sarma signed the document. SME read, the new credit framework should make it easier for smaller firms to hire and certify trainees who learn while working.

HR Katha · 9:02 am

Hiring

Adda247 cuts 20 percent of workforce ahead of planned IPO

Edtech firm Adda247 has laid off around 20 percent of its workforce as it restructures ahead of a planned IPO. Cuts hit product and content teams, with the Gurugram firm saying it will continue selective hiring in priority areas. Reported FY25 operating revenue stood at about 220 crore rupees, down one percent year on year, and losses widened slightly to around 10.9 million dollars. Adda247 is backed by Google and last raised 35 million dollars in 2021. SME read, India's mid sized edtechs continue to trim for a path to profit.

HR Katha · 12:30 pm

Opinion

CHROs on International HR Day 2026, skills first now beats fixed job roles

On International HR Day, People Matters spoke to CHROs at firms including Bikaji Foods, ManpowerGroup, Indo National, Comviva, Lenovo India and Tide India. The leaders argue employees should expect roles to keep shifting, with adaptability, continuous learning and emotional resilience valued alongside technical skill. They view AI as a workplace enabler not an automatic threat, while human judgement and collaboration stay central. Tide India's people head said hiring is moving from speed to precision. SME read, expectations of staff are rising even at smaller firms.

People Matters · 10:00 am