Delhi-NCR-based startup YesMadam faced a storm of criticism this week following allegations that employees were fired over workplace stress. On Tuesday, the home salon service issued a clarification, claiming the viral email that triggered the controversy was part of a “planned effort” to spotlight the issue of workplace stress.
The controversy began when screenshots of an email purportedly from YesMadam's HR department surfaced online. The email announced the termination of employees who reported "significant stress" in a company survey, a decision that reportedly affected around 100 employees. Social media erupted with criticism, branding the move as insensitive and counterproductive.
One employee, Anushka Dutta, a UX copywriter at the company, took to LinkedIn to share her experience. “Following a random survey, I, along with 100 others, was abruptly terminated for reporting feeling stressed.” she wrote. Dutta’s post added fuel to the fire, drawing widespread condemnation from professionals and netizens alike.
In a public statement shared on social media, YesMadam reassured its audience that “no one was fired.” The company expressed regret for the uproar, stating: “We apologize for any distress caused by recent social media posts implying that we terminated employees due to stress.”
YesMadam explained that employees who reported feeling stressed in an internal survey were not terminated but offered a break to reset. The startup framed the controversy as a calculated attempt to raise awareness about the challenges of workplace stress.
The controversy has sparked heated debates online, with numerous LinkedIn users voicing their opinions. Critics lambasted YesMadam’s actions, calling them a poor attempt at gaining attention.
Nutrition coach Varnit Yadav called it a “lousy PR stunt,” commenting, “Eww. What a shallow move.” Psychologist Pragya Arora criticized the company’s strategy, writing, “Rebranding toxic behavior as a PR stunt? Destroying trust and gaslighting employees isn’t marketing.” Another user criticized saying, " Get a free head massage from @YesMadam to relieve your stress."
Others compared YesMadam’s stunt to past controversial marketing campaigns, such as Zomato’s infamous chief of staff post, arguing that YesMadam’s effort was “way worse.”
While YesMadam maintains that their intent was to highlight workplace stress, the incident has left many questioning the company’s approach to employee well-being and its marketing ethics.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Josna Lewis/MSM)