YesMadam, a salon home service start-up, has sparked outrage online after it reportedly fired employees who admitted to experiencing “significant stress” in a company-wide survey. The news spread like wildfire after a screenshot of the email, allegedly sent by the company's Human Resources department, went viral on social media platforms.
The email revealed that YesMadam had conducted a survey to assess the stress levels of its employees. The results of the survey led to an unexpected and controversial decision: employees who indicated they were under “major stress” were dismissed from their positions. The tone of the HR email was blunt, offering little explanation beyond the decision to “part ways” with those who reported high stress levels.
The screenshot of viral Email
The move has left many questioning the company's approach to employee well-being. One social media user expressed disbelief, stating, "The most bizarre layoffs: YesMadam conducts stress survey at work. Employees who say they are stressed are fired." Another user shared their shock, writing, “So, recently a startup named YesMadam sent out a survey to team members on how stressed they are AND? Guess what, fired the ones who had voted they are under extreme stress.”
The decision has been widely condemned for its lack of empathy and the apparent absence of any attempt to address the underlying issues causing the stress. Critics argue that the company missed an opportunity to provide support and solutions, instead choosing a punitive approach.
Several people pointed out the irony of a company trying to gauge employee stress but choosing to terminate those who expressed it. “What happened to fostering a supportive work environment? Firing employees for being stressed is counterproductive,” one user said.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about mental health in the workplace and how companies handle employee well-being. While the issue remains unresolved, the viral HR email has undoubtedly put YesMadam under a harsh spotlight, with many questioning the company’s management practices.
At the time of publication, YesMadam has not issued an official statement in response to the viral email or the backlash.
