YesMadam's 'Fired for Stress' Gimmick Backfires, and the Business is Criticised

Following a contentious post claiming that the company had fired 100 employees because of stress, YesMadam, a home salon services provider, has provoked fury on social media. Widely shared on LinkedIn and other social media sites, the post went viral very fast and was criticised for taking a tone-deaf approach to a serious problem.

On December 10, YesMadam responded with a statement that clarified the post was a part of a social media campaign that aimed to draw attention to the "serious issue of workplace stress."

The Divisive Social Media Update

According to the original post, YesMadam fired about 100 workers after a mental health survey found that many of them were experiencing stress. On LinkedIn, an employee going by the name Anushka Dutta posted a leaked HR department email that said, "What's going on at YesMadam? You survey us at random first, then fire us overnight because we're stressed? Not only that, but one hundred other people have also been let go.

Within hours, the post went viral as many users expressed their outrage and rage at what they saw as the company's cruel choice. Employees, clients, and mental health advocates widely criticised it, accusing YesMadam of taking advantage of a delicate subject for commercial gain.

The Apology and Explanation from YesMadam

YesMadam issued a statement in reaction to the criticism, claiming that no staff members had been let go. The business stated that rather than announcing layoffs, the social media post was a part of a larger campaign meant to emphasise the significance of tackling workplace stress.

According to the official statement, "We deeply regret any inconvenience caused by recent social media statements implying that we fired staff members for experiencing stress. To be clear, nobody was let go from YesMadam. We would never act in such a cruel manner. Additionally, YesMadam underlined that the campaign was created to raise awareness of the urgent problem of workplace stress, which has grown more common in the fast-paced, always-on work culture of today."

Introducing the Policy of "De-Stress Leave"

In an effort to emphasise its "commitment to employee well-being," YesMadam declared the implementation of the nation's "first de-stress leave policy." With the extra perk of a free at-home spa treatment, the program permits workers to take six paid leave days to relax. The goal of this program is to support workers' mental health and aid in their recovery from stress at work.

According to YesMadam's statement, "In today's hyperconnected world, work-life boundaries are fading, stress is widespread, and productivity often overshadows employee well-being." "We're here to lead the way in developing a culture that reflects the belief that happy employees build stronger businesses."

YesMadam Lays Off Hundreds After Stress Complaints

YesMadam laid off hundreds of employees following their complaints about workplace stress, sparking concerns about employee well-being and workplace ethics.

StartupTalkyNitin Konde