Hey there,

Happy Halloween 🎃

While everyone’s busy ghosting their managers on Slack 👀, we know what you’ve really been ghosting: HR news and trends.

It’s okay, we won’t haunt you for it. The world of work has been brewing plenty of changes, and we’ve brought them back from the afterlife so you don’t miss a thing. From pay gaps that are finally disappearing to new labor codes shaking up the workplace, there’s a lot happening behind the curtain.

So grab your pumpkin spice coffee, take a seat, and let us help you un-ghost the HR world.

Here’s everything that’s been dying to get your attention this Halloween 👇

⚖️ Labor Code India 2025: The Big Shift in Employment Laws

A major reform is coming to Indian workplaces with the Labor Code India 2025, which consolidates 29 separate labour laws into four unified codes — covering wages, industrial relations, social security, and occupational safety

The highlight? A uniform definition of “wages” across all codes. Under the new rules, the basic salary must make up at least 50% of total CTC — a move designed to bring transparency to compensation structures.

This change means employers will need to revisit payroll structures, allowances, and statutory contributions. For HR and compliance teams, understanding these nuances isn’t optional. It’s critical for staying compliant and avoiding penalties.

💼 India’s Gender Pay Gap: Among the Smallest in the World

A standout highlight this month came from the report by Deel (2025 Compensation Report), which revealed that India now ranks among the countries with the smallest gender pay gap globally

The report found that median salaries for men and women in India are nearly equal, a significant stride toward pay parity especially compared to countries like the US, Canada, and France, which showed the widest gaps

🚀 Hiring Trends 2025: Digital Transformation & The Gig Surge

India’s hiring landscape in 2025 continues to show resilience and reinvention. According to the latest data, India has emerged as one of the top global markets for hiring intent, thanks to robust growth in sectors like energy, finance, IT, and communication services.

Even as automation and AI reshape jobs, traditional sectors and the gig economy remain key pillars of employment. Organisations are focusing on hybrid roles, flexible staffing, and digital upskilling making 2025 the year of blended workforces.

🌐 Top HR Trends Shaping Indian Workplaces in 2025

The modern workplace is evolving faster than ever, and HR leaders are at the center of that change. Here are some of the top trends making waves this year:

• AI in HR Operations: From recruitment to retention, AI tools are streamlining processes and improving employee experience.

• Focus on Mental Wellness: Post-pandemic, emotional well-being has become a core business metric, not just an HR initiative.

• Skill-based Hiring Over Degrees: Organisations are prioritising capability and agility over traditional credentials.

• Flexible Work as a Norm: Hybrid and remote models are here to stay — with more policies now built around trust and accountability.

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So, what’s this about? The TSOW AI-Forward TA Index is your chance to join the Top 50 recruiters & TA leaders proving how AI actually works in the real world.

Every innovation, every culture shift, every business success begins with the hires TA makes possible.

That’s why the TSOW AI-Forward TA Index exists: to put recruiters and TA leaders where they belong — at the center of the conversation.

This Index doesn’t just celebrate you. It amplifies you.

• 🔹 Elevating your personal brand

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• 🔹 Cementing your role as a leader in AI-driven TA

That’s a wrap on October, a month where India not only celebrated light and renewal but also illuminated a brighter future for the workforce.

Now we want to hear from you.

Your feedback keeps us caffeinated and creative. So keep it coming ☕💬

Catch you next week,
Team TSOW