YesMadam, an at-home beauty services startup, has responded to growing social media speculation following the circulation of a viral email that suggested the company had fired employees who expressed stress in an internal survey. The beauty services company issued a statement on LinkedIn, apologizing for the distress caused by the controversy and clarifying that no employees were terminated.
The viral email, which caused a stir on social media, led many to believe that YesMadam had dismissed employees who had been open about their stress. The company, however, swiftly denied the claims. “No one was fired at YesMadam! Let us be clear: We would never take such an inhuman step,” the statement read, asserting that the accusations were part of a larger campaign aimed at raising awareness of workplace stress.
According to YesMadam, the employees mentioned in the email were not let go, but were instead given the opportunity to take a break to reset and manage their stress. In an effort to promote mental well-being, the company introduced its corporate program, “Happy 2 Heal,” which prioritizes employee health over productivity. The initiative includes head massages and spa sessions at the workplace, allowing employees to unwind during work hours.
In addition to the wellness program, YesMadam unveiled “India’s first-ever De-Stress Leave Policy,” offering employees six paid de-stress leaves each year to focus on their mental health, along with complimentary at-home spa services. “We firmly believe that the backbone of any great organisation is not built on stressed shoulders but on happy minds,” the company stated.
Despite the company’s clarification, reactions from the public have been largely negative. Many social media users criticized the initiative, calling it a “lousy PR stunt” and accusing the company of using a sensitive issue like layoffs to promote its services. One user commented, “Using a grave issue like layoffs—a reality affecting millions—to promote a product is as irresponsible as it is tasteless.” Another user remarked, “So now toxic behavior is rebranded as a PR stunt? Bold strategy-destroy trust, gaslight your employees, and call it marketing.”
While the company’s intentions behind the program may have been to address workplace stress, critics have pointed out the lack of sensitivity in the execution, with some accusing YesMadam of trivializing mental health issues for commercial gain. The controversy has sparked a wider conversation about how companies handle workplace stress and the boundaries between marketing and employee well-being.
Sources By Agencies