Yes Madam, a Noida-based home salon service platform, faced significant backlash after a screenshot of a LinkedIn post went viral claiming that the company had terminated 100 employees due to workplace stress. Yes Madam issued a clarification on December 10, stating that the layoff claim was part of a social media campaign designed to highlight the serious issue of workplace stress. The company apologized for any distress caused and reassured that no employees had been terminated.
The controversy began when Yes Madam’s copywriter, Anushka Dutta, shared a "leaked" HR email on LinkedIn. The email claimed that following a workplace stress survey, employees reporting high stress levels were being dismissed “effective immediately.” The post gained traction, sparking outrage over the decision to penalize employees for mental health struggles.
In its statement, Yes Madam clarified that the email was fabricated as part of the campaign. "No one was fired at Yes Madam," the company stated. “We would never take such an inhuman step,” it claimed.
Yes Madam announced two new employee wellness initiatives in the same post. The "Happy 2 Heal" program offers in-office head massages and spa sessions to help employees relax and de-stress. The company also announced a "de-stress leave policy," offering six days of paid leave and a complimentary at-home spa session.
"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," the company stated.
Despite the apology and clarification, Yes Madam continued to face criticism online for using the sensitive topic of layoffs as a promotional tactic. Many have called the campaign "tone-deaf" and "insensitive" to the plight of individuals who have faced real layoffs.