• 76, Moonlighting and Dual Employment, the Legal and Ethical Perspectives, how we should look at this trend
    Jan 25 2026

    #HRhelpdesk #IndiaHRGuide #MandeepSingh, with 25 years of HR expertise, Mandeep Singh demystifies the rising debate around moonlighting and dual employment in India. He explains the difference between the two—how moonlighting operates as a commercial, task‑based engagement, while dual employment remains legally restricted under Indian labour laws. Mandeep highlights why the real organisational concern is knowledge usage, not time or physical effort, and how global HR trends increasingly view moonlighting as a powerful learning and development lever. He urges organizations to build structured L&D philosophies that safely enable external learning without compromising proprietary knowledge.

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    12 mins
  • 75, The Non Compete clause in appointment letters and can we really ask someone not to join competition
    Jan 17 2026

    #HRhelpdesk #IndiaHRGuide #MandeepSingh, with 25 years of HR expertise, Mandeep Singh explains the purpose and practical implications of non‑compete clauses that appear in appointment letters, HR policies, or separate agreements. He describes how organizations may restrict industries, companies, geographies or combinations of these, but clarifies that Indian law does not permit any clause that limits a person’s livelihood after employment ends. Non‑compete clauses therefore become void, while the rest of the contract remains valid. He emphasizes that employees must avoid data leaks, client or employee poaching, or misuse of goodwill, as these can attract legal action. For organizations that genuinely need restrictions, he highlights garden leave as the only enforceable method—applicable only while the individual remains on the payroll. Once employment ends, the employee is free to join any organization.

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    5 mins
  • 74, National festivals and Holidays, how to reflect India's Diversity through the holiday list
    Jan 16 2026

    #HRhelpdesk #IndiaHRGuide #MandeepSingh, with 25 years of HR expertise, Mandeep Singh explains how organizations should create their annual holiday calendars while ensuring legal compliance and employee acceptance. He highlights the three compulsory national holidays—Gandhi Jayanti, Independence Day and Republic Day—which must be observed across India. He discusses the challenge of accommodating diverse festivals, especially when some are city‑wide closures while others are celebrated only by specific communities. Including every festival could push the list to 16–17 holidays, whereas most organizations operate with 11–13. He recommends a balanced model: around 10 fixed holidays for all employees and 2–3 optional holidays that individuals can choose from a larger list. This ensures compliance, cost efficiency and cultural inclusion. He also mentions that older approaches—like location‑specific holiday lists—are becoming less practical, leading organizations to adopt a common fixed list with optional choices for local or community needs.

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    5 mins
  • 73, How to take a good interview, even if you are not a trained interviewer
    Jan 1 2026

    #HRhelpdesk #IndiaHRGuide #MandeepSingh, Interviewing is often assumed to be easy, but it’s a specialised skill that requires training. In this episode, Mandeep Singh explains how managers can conduct effective interviews even without formal preparation. The goal of any interview is threefold: verify the authenticity of the candidate’s credentials, assess their ability to deliver on job requirements, and understand their motives for joining your organisation. Clarity on these aspects helps avoid mismatched expectations and costly hiring mistakes. Mandeep shares practical approaches, whether competency-based, fact-driven, or predictive questioning to gauge fit and performance potential. He also emphasises probing deeper into a candidate’s philosophy on jobs, career shifts, and long-term goals to uncover alignment with organisational values. This episode is a must-listen for leaders and managers who want to make informed hiring decisions without relying solely on HR expertise.

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    6 mins
  • 72, The Core Value "Trust", and how to inculcate it at the workplace
    Dec 25 2025

    #HRhelpdesk #IndiaHRGuide #MandeepSingh, with 25 years of HR expertise, Mandeep Singh explores why trust is one of the most cited core values in organisations. In this episode, he breaks down the pillars that make trust real and actionable in the Indian workplace. Reliability tops the list, keeping promises and delivering on commitments. Respect follows, recognising employees for their beliefs, skills, and individuality. Empathy adds depth, acknowledging social obligations and personal priorities beyond work. Authenticity ensures transparency, free from hidden agendas or pretence, while safety guarantees an environment where emotional, physical, and professional wellbeing is protected. These pillars collectively shape trust into a lived value, not just a word on paper. Tune in to understand how organisations can embed trust into their culture and why it remains the foundation for meaningful employee engagement.

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    4 mins
  • 71, Understanding the Code of Industrial Relations through key highlights
    Dec 15 2025

    #HRhelpdesk #IndiaHRGuide #MandeepSingh, with 25 years of HR expertise, Mandeep Singh explains the Industrial Relations Code, a critical labour law reform focused on worker protection. The video clarifies who qualifies as a worker, introduces the concept of fixed-term workers and their entitlement to gratuity, and outlines key provisions on layoffs and retrenchments. Mandeep details compensation norms, notice periods, and additional payments, especially for organisations with more than 50 or 300 workers, where government permission becomes mandatory. He highlights compliance requirements such as forming works committees, grievance redressal committees, and drafting standing orders in English and the state’s official language. The discussion also covers trade unions, their registration criteria, negotiating rights, and the role of arbitration in resolving industrial disputes. Finally, Mandeep explains timelines for strikes and lockouts, emphasising adherence to central and state rules. A must-watch for HR leaders navigating India’s evolving labour landscape.

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    12 mins
  • 70, Understanding the Code of Occupational Safety and Health through key highlights
    Dec 14 2025

    #HRhelpdesk #IndiaHRGuide #MandeepSingh with 25 years of HR expertise, Mandeep explores the Code of Occupational Health and Safety and its impact on organisations employing workers. This video explains who qualifies as a “worker” under the law and why organisations with 10 or more workers must comply. Learn about the new factory definition, registration requirements, and obligations for interstate workers and sales promotion employees. Mandeep covers essential compliance practices, including wage slips before payday, electronic record-keeping, and mandatory appointment letters. Discover critical health and safety provisions such as separate restrooms for men, women, and transgenders, annual health check-ups, and training protocols. The video also details overtime rules, leave entitlements, women’s night-shift consent, and restrictions on contract labour in core activities. Additional topics include canteen and safety committee requirements, accident reporting, and confidentiality protection. Whether you operate factories, construction sites, or plantations, these insights will help you meet compliance standards and safeguard worker welfare.

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    18 mins
  • 69, Understanding the Code of Social Security through key highlights
    Dec 13 2025

    #HRhelpdesk #IndiaHRGuide #MandeepSingh with 25 years of HR expertise, Mandeep explores the Code of Social Security and its critical implications for organisations and employees. This video explains how the code is structured into sections, each with its own eligibility criteria, and why compliance matters. You’ll learn about maternity benefits, including 26 weeks of paid leave, crèche facilities, and medical bonus alongside ESIC coverage for medical, unemployment, and maternity benefits. The discussion covers gratuity rules, including new provisions for fixed-term employees, and the need for gratuity insurance. It also explains employee compensation for workplace injuries, mandatory job postings on employment exchanges, and Provident Fund contributions and benefits. Plus, discover new protections for gig and platform workers, building and construction regulations, and cine worker provisions. Whether you’re a start-up or a large enterprise, these insights will help you navigate India’s evolving social security landscape with confidence.

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    18 mins