Noida Startup Conducts Mental Health Survey, Terminates Employees Citing “Stress” Feedback.
There is now a storm brewing online based on an internal email from a technology-driven beauty and wellness company known for providing home salon services in its name, YesMadam. In this email, as supposedly signed by Ashu Arora Jha, the HR manager for the company, alleged evidence has emerged that in this same recent survey initiated by the company, certain workers cited being stressed out at the office only to be let go, sparking social media tremors with condemnations from professional individuals.
The allegedly leaked e-mail, published by an IndiGo Associate Director of Digital Marketing, in his LinkedIn profile post stated, “We recently conducted a survey to gauge your feelings about workplace stress. Many of you have concerns, which we have sincerely valued and respected.” Accordingly, “we strictly scrutinized the feedback following our commitment to a supportive work environment”. Very difficult decisions included the separation of stressed employees reported at a high level of stress. This decision will take immediate effect, and the affected employees will receive separate communication. Thank you for your contributions.
Outrage: The email caused anger and criticism from the users with their condemnations on the layoff. A sarcastic comment read, “Kudos to this groundbreaking employee mental health initiative,” followed by, “Jokes aside, this is vile. My heart goes out to the affected employees. Do better, YesMadam!”
Another user said, “UNBELIEVABLE! This is insane! Where is corporate culture heading with such inhumane practices?”
A commenter said: “It seems that the company expects its employees to live up to their name-“Yes Madam”-to everything, avoid honest feedback, and move on.”
The authenticity of the letter cannot be verified, and till date, YesMadam hasn’t made any comments on the controversy. However, in a turn of events in the news, former employee Anushka Dutta further fueled the frenzy by posting the email on LinkedIn and claiming that she was included in the list of dismissed individuals.
Ms. Dutta, who is a UX copywriter at the company, lashed out:
“What’s going on at YesMadam? First, you do a random survey, then overnight, you let go of us for being stressed? Not just me-they let go around 100 other people too.”
On X (formerly Twitter), feedbacks were pouring in with everyone saying that “HR is NOT your friend.”
Some speculated that the incident was a publicity stunt; as one user commented, “Please tell me this is a joke or marketing tactic.” The seriousness of the layoffs remains uncertain but has elicited serious debate about workplace ethics and worker well-being.
