BUSINESS
Temp hiring is top focus for recruitment firms as companies turn cautious
With business taking a hit in the wake of the pandemic, companies are focussing on keeping costs in check, hiring temporary workers till things stabilise to save on payroll expenses.
BUSINESS
No big bang year-end parties for corporate employees as celebrations turn virtual, private
With Covid still very active, corporate year-end celebrations this year are a scaled-down affair. Companies are either taking the virtual route or encouraging employees to spend time with their families, while finding other ways, such as awards, to recognise their contributions
MCMINIS
India is among top 20 overworked nations
BUSINESS
Ageas to acquire 23% additional stake from IDBI Bank in IDBI Federal Life Insurance
Post this deal, IDBI Bank will hold 25 percent stake in the life insurer, Ageas will hold 49 percent which is the maximum permissible limit under the foreign direct investment rules.
BUSINESS
Pandemic-proof: COVID-19 increases demand for insurance agents, hiring doubles
As banks turned to focus on pure transactional banking business amidst COVID-19, insurance agents have become a useful resource.
BUSINESS
Looking Back: COVID-19 pandemic drives demand for term, medical insurance
The insurance industry was forced to adopt the digital route to sell policies from April 2020 as field agents had to start working from home amidst the Coronavirus outbreak.
INDIA
WFH and virtual classes: Like learning to ride a bicycle
Across age groups, the sudden shift to online learning and working from home caught millions of Indians off guard and they struggled initially. But the more they did it, sharper they got, and it no longer throws them off balance. We talked to four individuals to find out how they adjusted to online learning and WFH.
BUSINESS
Price rise pinch: White goods see worst year as component prices skyrocket to all-time high in 2020
Component rates rose across appliances leading to a 20-30 percent rise in product prices. With COVID-19 fears intact, sales also remained muted for consumer durables firms.
BUSINESS
Term policy rates may see price hike from April 1 next year
Rates would rise between 10-20 percent once the revised premiums are approved by the insurance regulator IRDAI. This will be implemented from FY22 onwards.
BUSINESS
2020 wrap-up: Cautious optimism in jobs sector as year comes to a close
Several Indian professionals lost their jobs from April 2020 onwards due to the COVID-19 and allied lockdown impact on the economy. The employment market is crawling back to normalcy, but with caution.
FEATURES
For adults only: What it means to turn 21 in 2021
We spoke to six 20-year-olds to find out what kind of year they have had and what expectations they have for 2021 as they turn 21.
BUSINESS
Universities likely to tighten norms for college affiliations from 2021
The move bodes well for students as they will be saved from enrolling into potentially fraudulent institutes with universities becoming selective about granting affiliation.
BUSINESS
Five signs that your current job is affecting your mental health
Feeling blue once or twice a year about going to office or meeting colleagues is fine, but feeling low every other day is a signal from your brain seeking immediate changes.
BUSINESS
As schools reopen, managements cry foul over rising costs and fee payment delays
While parents have been demanding a reduction in fees since classes had moved online for much of the year, school authorities insist this is not possible as their fixed costs on salaries, maintenance and other heads remained unchanged. They now want to hike charges because of the additional costs to purchase thermal scanners, maintain hygiene and hire staff to ensure overall safety.
BUSINESS
Bending under pressure: When a mathematics teacher has to take Yoga classes
In Part 2 of our series on reopening of schools, we look at how millions of schoolteachers fled home because of Covid, forcing the other half to teach students who attend physical classes and again teach those who prefer to learn from home. They have to teach more subjects and double up as attenders, sanitation supervisors and yoga teachers, all without any additional pay
BUSINESS
Godrej Appliances to launch ultra-cool freezers in India for COVID-19 vaccine storage
The company has already received orders worth Rs 150 crore for medical refrigerators that will be used to store the various COVID-19 vaccine doses across India.
BUSINESS
Onsitego sees rise in demand for repair, servicing of appliances
Mumbai-based Onsitego which offers after-sales services including repairs, annual maintenance, and extended warranty for appliances plans to become a one-stop shop for all customer needs.
BUSINESS
Coders are in demand across sectors in India. Here’s why
The rising need for programmers and developers in non-IT sectors in the wake of the sharp digital-first focus across India Inc is driving the demand for those who belong to this ilk, while helping institutes that offer programming courses rake in the moolah
BUSINESS
Schools ‘unlock’ after eight months but why are classrooms still empty?
Schools across India are reopening but parents are not sending in their children. In Part 1 of a three-part series, we examine how the coronavirus fear and a lack of faith in schools to ensure masks and social distancing are in place is playing out.
BUSINESS
ICICI Lombard expects group business to rise to 33% over three to five years
In the group business, ICICI Lombard is seeing a demand for wellness-linked products as well as cyber insurance plans.
BUSINESS
iPhone factory violence: All you need to know about Apple contract manufacturer Wistron Corporation
Wistron had entered India in 2018 to manufacture Apple phones locally. But alleged violations of labour laws has put the company in the spotlight.
BUSINESS
Back to school: Where are schools open and what are the SOPs?
School authorities will be fully responsible for the safety of the physical classrooms and will have to ensure that students wear face masks at all times.
INDIA
JEE Main explained: Here’s everything you wanted to know about the 2021 exam
When will the exam be held, how long will it be, how many questions will it have, how many attempts will a student be able to make, which languages can the exam be taken in… Read on to get the answers to these and many more questions.
BUSINESS
The essential guide on what NOT to post on your LinkedIn profile
Your LinkedIn profile is like your resume. Use it efficiently to meet potential clients and get jobs, not to date or make enemies.
