After creating an uproar on social media after claiming to have fired about 100 employees for being stressed, home salon services company YesMadam released a statement on Tuesday that it was a social media campaign designed to highlight "the serious issue of workplace stress".
"No one was fired at YesMadam," read the statement. "We sincerely apologise for any distress caused by recent social media posts suggesting we dismissed employees for being stressed. Let us be clear: we would never take such an inhuman step."
The company also announced its new "de-stress leave policy," under which employees can take six days of paid leave to de-stress and receive a complimentary spa session at home to help with their mental health and rejuvenation.
"In today's hyper-connected world, work-life boundaries are fading, stress is widespread, and productivity often overshadows employee wellbeing... Happy employees build stronger businesses, and we're here to lead the way in creating a culture that reflects this belief," YesMadam stated.
'Leaked email' was part of social media campaign
The company was slammed online after an employee shared a "leaked" email from their HR head that stated that after conducting a mental health survey, it had decided to terminate workers who reported feeling stressed.
"What’s happening at YesMadam? First, you conduct a random survey and then fire us overnight because we’re feeling stressed? And not just me, 100 other people have been fired too," YesMadam copywriter Anushka Dutta had shared on LinkedIn before deleting the post after the company released its statement on Tuesday.
Here's what the email from the HR head stated:
“Dear Team,
Recently, we conducted a survey to understand your feelings about stress at work. Many of you shared your concerns, which we deeply value and respect.
As a company committed to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment, we have carefully considered the feedback. To ensure that no one remains stressed at work, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with employees who indicated significant stress.
This decision is effective immediately, and impacted employees will receive further details separately.
Thank you for your contributions. Best regards, HR Manager, YesMadam”
More backlash follows on social media
YesMadam's statement, however, has done little to soothe tempers on social media as users called it tone-deaf and insensitive.
"The Advertising Standards Council of India should seriously take a hard look at this utterly tone-deaf campaign," wrote Aparna Mukherjee, a Mumbai-based executive who handles communication branding and strategic content. "Using a grave issue like layoffs—a reality affecting millions—to promote a product is as irresponsible as it is tasteless... Campaigns like this don’t just cross the line; they bulldoze right over it, leaving nothing but bad taste and frustration in their wake. Bravo, brand geniuses—truly cutting-edge insensitivity."
Another marketing and communication specialist Agrima Sharma commented: "Such a tone-deaf and insensitive PR stunt to generate buzz. Stress, job insecurity, and the trauma of mass layoffs are daily realities for many, and trivializing these experiences to create attention is deeply troubling." She added that if the stunt was done to introduce mental health initiatives, "authenticity" and "empathy" should have been the driving force—not calculated campaigns designed solely to grab attention.
"Whoever approved this stupid PR stunt should probably fire themselves," wrote LinkedIn user Desi Founder. "I think firing is a must sometimes. Fire the freelancer who wrote this for you," added Delhi-based marketing consultant Ravi Agarwal.
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