The latest wave of global workforce restructuring is increasingly affecting employees in India as multinational companies extend organisational changes to their engineering, technology, product and shared services teams.
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While India continues to be a key talent hub for global businesses, companies are changing the way they hire, manage and support employees in response to artificial intelligence (AI), automation and changing business priorities.
Companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Meta, Visa, Thomson Reuters and Monday.com etc have announced workforce reductions or restructuring during 2026.
With large technology and business operations in India, the impact of these global decisions is also being felt across their India workforce.
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Industry experts say the trend reflects a shift towards leaner organisations and skills-based hiring rather than a move away from India.
AI Is Changing Workforce Strategy
Many global companies are reducing roles in some functions while increasing investment in AI, cloud computing and automation. Microsoft has announced another round of layoffs as it continues to invest heavily in AI infrastructure.
Amazon, Oracle and Meta have also restructured parts of their workforce while expanding AI and cloud capabilities. Visa, Thomson Reuters and Monday.com have made similar organisational changes to improve operational efficiency.
As companies automate routine work, hiring is becoming more selective. Demand continues to grow for professionals with skills in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data engineering and digital product development, while recruitment for general roles has slowed.
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The impact is also visible across India’s IT services industry and Global Capability Centres (GCCs), where organisations are focusing more on productivity, specialised skills and business outcomes than large-scale hiring.
Severance Practices Are Also Evolving
The latest wave of global layoffs is reshaping not only workforce strategies but also how companies support employees during workforce reductions. Several multinational companies have announced enhanced severance benefits for employees affected by layoffs in key global markets.
- Microsoft: Up to 39 weeks of base pay, continued healthcare benefits, career transition support, and in some cases, continued stock vesting for eligible U.S. employees.
- Salesforce: Up to 30 weeks of base pay, along with healthcare coverage and career transition/outplacement support for eligible U.S. employees.
- Meta:16 weeks of base pay, plus 2 additional weeks for every completed year of service, continued healthcare coverage, and career support for eligible U.S. employees.
However, these enhanced severance packages have been publicly disclosed only for eligible employees in the United States. None of the companies has confirmed that similar benefits apply to employees in India.
The severance terms for India-based employees have not been publicly disclosed and are generally determined by local employment laws, company policies, and individual employment contracts.
What It Means for India
India remains one of the world’s largest technology talent markets and continues to attract investment in technology centres and GCCs. However, the nature of employment is changing. Companies are moving away from headcount-led growth and placing greater value on specialised skills, adaptability and continuous learning.
For employees, the message is clear. AI is changing the workplace, but it is also creating demand for new capabilities. Professionals who continue to build skills in AI, cloud technologies, cybersecurity and data will be better placed to adapt as workforce strategies continue to evolve.
The current phase of global restructuring is therefore not only about layoffs. It also marks a broader shift in how organisations hire, develop, support and transition talent in an AI-driven economy.
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About the Author
Sheetal Singh
Contributing Writer