'Today is your last day': TV Today reportedly asks nearly 120 employees to resign

TV Today Network Limited, the media company behind Aaj Tak and India Today, has reportedly asked nearly 120 employees across multiple editorial and production teams to resign as part of a restructuring exercise, according to a report by Newslaundry. The publication said it could not independently verify the employees' claims.

The reported workforce reduction is said to have taken place between 20 July and 24 July at the company's Noida office, with employees alleging they were called into meetings with their managers and HR representatives before being instructed to submit their resignations.

According to the report, the company has not issued a public statement on the matter.

Employees describe abrupt exits

Newslaundry cited multiple employees who described a similar sequence of events.

One employee, identified as Anmol Kumar Mahto (name changed on request), said he was called to a meeting about an hour before the end of his shift and told: "Today is your last day. Please submit your resignation."

According to his account, HR had already prepared his full-and-final settlement documents and informed him the move was linked to organisational restructuring. He subsequently submitted his resignation, handed over his company laptop and identity card, and left the premises.

Employees told Newslaundry similar conversations took place across several departments over the five-day period.

Multiple business units reportedly affected

According to employees cited in the report, the restructuring affected several teams across the organisation. Reportedly impacted functions include:

• Aaj Tak Hindi digital newsroom
• Camera operations
• Video editing
• Graphics
• Fact-checking
• Data Intelligence Unit
• Aaj Tak Radio
• Parts of the India Today English web team

Employees claimed the majority of those affected belonged to the Hindi digital operation.

The publication noted it could not independently verify the exact number of employees impacted.

Resignations reportedly processed through HR platform

According to Newslaundry, employees submitted their resignations through Keka, the third-party HR platform used by the company.

Employees claimed they selected different resignation reasons available on the platform, including "restructuring" and "others". Some reportedly entered comments stating they had resigned at the direction of management.

Staff members further alleged employees who agreed to resign were offered two months' full salary, while those who declined were terminated and would receive two months' basic salary.

These claims have not been independently verified.

Long-serving employees recount the experience

Another employee, identified by Newslaundry as Raju Dev (name changed), claimed he had worked at Aaj Tak for 13 years before being asked to resign without prior notice.

According to the report, he said he was called downstairs during his shift, instructed to resign immediately and asked to surrender his company equipment before leaving the office.

Another employee, Naina Rajput, who reportedly spent four years with the organisation, described a similar experience. She told Newslaundry she was called into a meeting midway through her shift, asked to resign and instructed to return home. She said she briefly returned to her desk only to collect her personal belongings and say goodbye to colleagues.

The report also cited employees claiming some staff returning company assets the following day were asked to hand them over at the office entrance instead of entering the building.

Financial pressures cited as possible backdrop

According to Newslaundry, a senior employee attributed the reported restructuring to financial pressures facing the company.

The employee reportedly claimed a large-scale workforce reduction had been considered last year but was deferred before being implemented this month. The same individual alleged additional job cuts could follow.

While the company has not confirmed these assertions, its latest financial performance reflects a challenging operating environment.

According to publicly reported financial results for the previous financial year:

• Net profit declined 81% to nearly ₹14 crore
• Revenue fell 19% to around ₹807 crore
• Reports attributed the decline to weaker advertising revenue, restructuring costs and losses in the radio business

Employees claim restructuring may continue

Current employees told Newslaundry the restructuring process has not concluded.

The report said staff claimed six employees associated with India Today magazine had been let go in late May through a similar process. Employees also alleged recent departures of several higher-paid staff members to NDTV, while many of those affected in the latest exercise were reportedly earning significantly lower salaries, including around ₹30,000 per month.

These claims remain unverified.

Company yet to respond

According to Newslaundry, the publication sought responses from the company's HR department, News Director Supriya Prasad and Group Consulting Editor B V Rao before publishing its report.

At the time of publication, no response had been received, and the report stated it would be updated if the company issued a statement.

If confirmed, the reported workforce reduction would add to a series of restructuring exercises across India's media industry, where companies continue to adapt to changing advertising markets, digital transformation and evolving audience consumption patterns.