Advertise on podcast: NHRDN - HR Bandit

It’s that time again — prediction season on HR Bandit! 🔮 Ankita and Apoorva are back to see how their 2025 forecasts held up—and to find out whether they managed to top their 2024 prediction rate. From bold bets to unexpected misses, the duo dives into what actually happened and what they’re calling for 2026. Spoiler alert: not everything on the list is about AI! Tune in for fresh insights, laughter, and a few surprises as HR Bandit kicks off a brand-new season. LeanIn and McKinsey’s 2025 women in the workplace report Glassdoor’s word of the year, Fatigue Rise of incivility at the workplaceTalent Neuron’s workforce planning report Bright Horizons 2025 Education IndexPwC Global AI Jobs Barometerhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2025/12/22/8-ai-agents-every-hr-leader-needs-to-know-in-2026/A Quartz 2026 report on managers and AI McLean & Company 2026 HR Trends Report2025 Edelman Trust Barometer 

Join us (Ankita and Apoorva) as we cover the top work news from the month of November. Let's just say the world of work does not show any signs of quietly winding down.  If anything, it’s churning faster than we can keep up. This month we’re unpacking three stories that raise important questions about trust, leadership decisions, and how careers are being reshaped in real time.  From Microsoft’s recently launched Trusted Technology Review to Singapore’s increasing retirement age to Netflix’s keeper test, this episode covers it all.  Also stay tuned as we chat about alternate skills we might pick up in 2026 as AI threatens our current ones and Target’s 10-4 rule.  And before we wrap up for the year - we hope you take some well deserved time off to celebrate the wins from 2025 and we will see you in 2026!! Happy Holidays!! 

The corporate world serves up fresh surprises as 2025 winds down to its final months. "If the society is not willing to destroy, it cannot create."  In this episode of HR Bandit, Ankita and Apoorva explore how this Nobel Prize-winning philosophy is reshaping our world of work. From Spotify deciding that "one CEO isn't enough" with their controversial dual-CEO announcement, to Microsoft Teams' new feature that feels like "a digital version of peeking over their cubicle wall," October served up fascinating developments in workplace evolution.  Join us as we unpack why some founders are choosing two successors instead of one, debate whether "visibility equals productivity," and explore why your life might be better than Queen Victoria's.  Plus, catch updates on JP Morgan's custom-scented headquarters and Meta's revolving door of AI talent. Remember: "technology doesn't define culture — it exposes it."

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 Swiggy just gave working moms 1 full year of WFH after maternity leave. Microsoft back to 3 days in office  Spain rejects 4-day work week Blind CEO survey  6 day work weeks in Silicon Valley Ben & Jerry founder resigns Hyundai’s profit sharing

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 & more  Microsoft Firings Google manager slashes  Digital nomad hub Meta’s AI hiring freeze  Myntra Perks 

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  Microsoft’s AI memo  Goldman Asks Analysts to Swear They Haven’t Lined Up Private Equity Jobs Windsurf sets dangerous precedent Dell’s fall in employee satisfaction   HUL gets first woman CEO  Quiet cracking 

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  AI is doing 50% of work at Salesforce 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  Gender imbalance in entry level roles Tesla employees open letter Coinbase employees responsible for data leak Microsoft and Burberry Layoffs Workday Class Action  Moderna merges tech and HR teams  Ankita's blog Apoorva's blog 

April 2025 brought the heat, and HR Bandit is here for all of it. Harvard University throws down the gauntlet against federal pressure, refusing to back down on DEI initiatives despite billion-dollar consequences. Meanwhile, Microsoft's preparing to shake up the corporate ladder with middle management cuts that could reshape how we think about career growth. And in true tech giant fashion, Google's playing keeper with its AI talent – even if it means paying them to do nothing for a year.Join Ankita & Apoorva as they dissect these power moves and share the month's juiciest workplace tea, including a Deel spy confession, Gen Z's WFH streaming habits, and Google's hybrid work ultimatum. It's a month that proved the world of work is anything but boring, and your favorite HR bandits are here to make sense of it all.

From quiet beginnings to explosive endings, March played out like a Hollywood thriller. This month served up a feast of workplace drama: Ola's CEO Bhavish Agarwal channeling his inner Elon Musk, a Rippling employee's bathroom lockdown saga, and American workers redefining the traditional workday. Join Ankita & Apoorva as they cover March’s top events from the world of work. From corporate espionage to changing workplace norms, this episode unpacks the stories that made March unforgettable. Corporate espionage  Kya Chal Raha Hai Workers clocking out early Meta’s firing for confidentiality leak  JP Morgan CEO remorseful for cursing  Sergey Brin on working from an office  Founderz x Microsoft AI Skills 4 Women course 

2025 is turning out to be quite the year. After a tumultuous January, February was just as eventful. Tune in as Ankita and Apoorva recap the top three events from the world of work and then some more. Elf Cosmetics turned heads with their DEI campaign, Meta rubbed a lot of employees the wrong way by laying off who they labelled as top performers and one CEO’s leaked audio clip on working from home went almost viral. Also - March happens to be the birthday month for one of the hosts and they have an ask. So settle in for the best one yet. We’re back!!  ELF’s So Many Dicks campaign Meta’s culling of ‘low performers’ JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s leaked audio slams WFH Gen Z has turned against taking middle management roles Hermes shares its success with employees LinkedIn 2025 workplace learning report 

We're back! After Apoorva's maternity leave and Ankita's "me-ternity" leave, HR Bandits returns with a special episode to grade our 2024 workplace predictions, unveil our crystal ball forecast for 2025, and analyze if the workplace landscape will maintain its course or face major disruptions. What's in store for the world of work in 2025?  Listen in as we break down the trends, challenges, and opportunities ahead. 🎙️ Share Your Thoughts:  Do our predictions align with what you're seeing?  What are your workplace predictions for 2025?  Drop a comment or message - we'd love to hear from you! P.S. Stay tuned for our return to regular programming in our next episode! 2024 Predictions episode  https://blog.perceptyx.com/2024-perceptyx-benchmarks-finds-employee-engagement-back-to-normal-with-one-big-exception https://time.com/7209960/companies-rolling-back-dei/ Gallup study on AI at the workplace https://universumglobal.com/resources/blog/figuring-out-skills-in-an-ai-world/  Meta killing its IDE initiatives rise of incivility 

We are more than halfway through the year and halfway through summer. The world of work has not thrown as many surprises at us over the last month but enough to ensure that Greece’s six day work-week did not feature in our top three. With Foxconn keeping married women out from certain roles, a promotion recession and neurodiversity becoming a valuable qualification for some, July had enough to keep us busy.  Join Ankita & Apoorva as they chat about what they’ve been up to along with the latest on work.  And don’t forget to take a vacation before the summer is out!  Greece 6-day work week: https://www.dw.com/en/greece-a-six-day-work-week-the-country-hopes-to-kick-start-economy-through-longer-hours/a-69421393?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-gb Foxconn: https://www.reuters.com/investigates in/special-report/foxconn-apple-india-women/  Promotion Recession: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-09/entry-level-workers-struggle-to-get-jobs-senior-staff-misses-promotions?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=linkedin?sref=QnKyEnuc  Dry Promotions: https://hrme.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace/dry-promotions-a-sign-of-recognition-or-exploitation/109728482 https://www.fastcompany.com/91139510/when-should-you-turn-down-a-promotion  Neurodiversity: https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/jobs-for-the-autistic-grow-beyond-tech-b4eee329?st=tzyuhny5pd1rpy1   OpenAI: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-17/openai-dissolves-key-safety-team-after-chief-scientist-ilya-sutskever-s-exit Vacation Read: https://www.fastcompany.com/91146223/if-youre-struggling-to-find-focus-after-vacation-read-this 

You heard us singing "Happy Birthday," and now it's time for a very special occasion on HR Bandit! The tables have turned, as host Ankita takes an unexpected seat in the guest chair while Apoorva fires off a round of questions just for her.  Listeners are in for a real treat as they uncover the backstory behind the podcast's mysterious "HR Bandit" name, discover who's the show’s dream guest, and get the exclusive scoop on our latest exciting launch.  Tune in for answers, laughs, and a few delightful twists you won't want to miss in this can't-miss episode filled to the brim with birthday cheer! P.S: Also catch Ankita being way off with all timelines. It isn’t our 40th show yet. But soon!  Episode with Tim Sackett: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/008-predicting-2022/id1569782493?i=1000549133949  Show’s inspiration pods: TBOY: https://tboypod.com/ 

April has been a whirlwind of developments. It was tough to choose, but here are our top stories from the month gone by. Google faced significant turmoil as a group of employees protested against the company’s cloud contract with Israel leading to 50 employees being terminated. Meanwhile, Microsoft's 2024 Work Trend Index report provides a fascinating look at how AI is transforming jobs and how we work, with interesting takeaways on what we can do to stay ahead. Lastly, Starbucks shareholders voted yes to a decision to remove DEI targets from executive pay, raising larger questions about DEI as a priority for organizations in an evolving legal landscape in the US.  Join Ankita & Apoorva as they explore these three major developments, providing insightful analysis and context. They'll also touch on other significant stories that didn't make the main lineup. Expect some interesting tidbits with a fun fact about this very podcast to end the episode. May promises to bring even more intriguing updates. https://fortune.com/2024/04/22/sundar-pichai-google-staff-no-political-debates-office-firing-28-employees-israeli-contract-protest/  https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2024/04/05/starbucks-removes-de-and-i-requirements-from-executive-pay-structure?mbcid=34981484.113659&mblid=e0bd4ab22f3a&mid=2f9fbdbb9111c845d9ce3ea3959601a5&utm_campaign=hrb&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=morning_brew  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/ai-at-work-is-here-now-comes-the-hard-part/  https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/ge-sells-crotonville-campus-13fd35a0 https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/forget-the-humane-ai-pin-this-new-ai-pendant-from-limitless-actually-looks-useful https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-announces-rule-banning-noncompetes