Latest update:14 April 2026 at 10:11 PM IST

Zoho responds to anonymous claims of mass layoffs, clarifies 2026 internship conversion rates and hiring policies.

‘Factually untrue’: Zoho responds to widespread demand to lay off 300 employees

Indian multinational technology company Zoho has formally addressed a widely shared anonymous post on professional networking app Blind, which claimed that the company had “silently” laid off 300 employees without warning. The claim caused an immediate uproar, as Zoho is known for its strict “no layoffs” policy that it has followed over three decades, even during the 2023 tech recession and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

The anonymous user, who claimed to be one of the 300 affected individuals, expressed his deep disappointment in the post, stating that he chose Zoho over offers from companies like TCS and Capgemini because of its promised stability. “This situation has hit me hard,” the user wrote, noting my financially distressed background and the family’s dependence on the role.

Zoho makes it clear: interns, not employees

In a statement provided to HT.com, Zoho explained that the widespread claims stem from a misunderstanding of the company’s internship structure versus full-time employment.

Describing interns who did not receive full-time offers as being “laid off” is “factually incorrect,” Mohamed Sohail, associate director of talent acquisition and global HR operations at Zoho Corp, told HT.com.

“The post in question appears to be confusing our internship program with employment,” Sohail told HT.com. “These things are different: internships are educational engagements that do not automatically guarantee a full-time job.”

Sohail also explained to HT.com that for the 2026 trainee pool, more than 30% of candidates have already received full-time offers or are currently being evaluated for permanent positions. This is independent of new students who have been recruited and will join as full-time staff upon completion of their academic courses.

The company emphasized that while high-performing trainees are absorbed into the workforce, training is a temporary educational stage.

“Interns who have demonstrated exceptional ability have been or will be absorbed into the company,” Sohail added in his statement to HT.com. “Others will complete their training as scheduled and will be free to apply for other jobs.”

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