Shark Tank India-featured YesMadam asks employees if they are stressed; HR says, 'We fired those who answered yes'

Shark Tank India-featured YesMadam has come under fire for reportedly terminating over 100 employees following a workplace mental health survey.

The controversial decision was communicated via an email from the company’s HR department, sparking widespread criticism online. According to a former employee, the survey asked staff about their stress levels at work. Shortly after, those who admitted to being stressed were dismissed.

“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,” said an ex-employee who received the termination email.

Anushka Dutta, a former UX copywriter at YesMadam, shared a screenshot of the email. The message began on a seemingly positive note, acknowledging the feedback gathered from the mental health survey.

“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,” it read. However, the tone shifted as HR Manager Ashu Arora Jha announced the decision to part ways with stressed employees.

“To ensure that no one remains stressed at work, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with employees who indicated significant stress,” the email stated, adding that the termination was “effective immediately.” 

Netizens reaction

The Noida-based startup, which home salon services, assured that affected employees would receive additional details separately, but the move has drawn significant backlash, with critics questioning the ethics of firing workers instead of addressing their stress-related concerns.

"Firing employees for reporting stress in a workplace survey isn't just counterproductive—it's the epitome of irony. Instead of addressing the root causes of stress, this approach sends a loud and clear message: 'Your well-being isn't our concern.' A healthy work environment is built on empathy and solutions, not silencing voices by removing those who speak up. This isn’t fostering a supportive culture—it’s avoiding accountability. Companies must do better," a user wrote.

Many users debated whether the incident is genuine or merely a marketing stunt.

"If this is a marketing "strategy" then whoever came up with this magnificently backfiring, appallingly unimaginative "idea" and the decision makers who approved it are the ones who desperately need to be fired. If it isn't, then it's an altogether different issue of a significantly grave scale. Pun intended. Either way, Yes Madam isn't going to come out of this mess unscathed," another said.

“If this is a PR campaign, then we’ve literally stooped low! Kaafi dharatal me samaata hua mahol hai,” a third said.

"I am speechless. I can only imagine how demoralising that must be. You open up about your struggles, and instead of getting support, being heard, or at least just being left alone, you’re shown the door. That’s just heartbreaking. Gosh, what a terrible way to show employees that you "deeply value" their concerns," a fourth expressed.

So recently a startup named YesMadam sent out survey to team members on how stressed they are AND? Guess what... fired the ones who had voted they are under extreme stress.

Source: https://t.co/o8PnoRMlax pic.twitter.com/RSxQBUW1Gj

— Deep Ganatra (@DeepXP) December 9, 2024

YesMadam has yet to respond to the viral email.