Tue Dec 10 09:33:11 UTC 2024: ## YesMadam Denies Layoffs, Claims “Stress Reset” for Employees Amidst Backlash

**NOIDA, INDIA** – Beauty services startup YesMadam is facing a public relations crisis after reports surfaced that it laid off employees who reported high levels of workplace stress. The company has vehemently denied these claims, releasing a three-page statement insisting that no one was fired, but rather given a “break to reset.”

The controversy began with an alleged internal email, purportedly from YesMadam’s HR Manager, Ashu Arora Jha, indicating that employees who expressed significant stress in a recent company survey were let go. This email sparked outrage online, particularly after a screenshot was shared on LinkedIn by Anushka Dutta, a UX copywriter at YesMadam, and subsequently by Shitiz Dogra, IndiGo’s Associate Director of Digital Marketing. Dutta’s post questioned the company’s actions, prompting a wave of criticism.

YesMadam’s response, however, paints a different picture. The company maintains that the affected employees were not terminated but rather given paid leave to de-stress, encouraged to relax, and offered complimentary at-home spa services. They further announced a new “de-stress policy” including six paid leave days annually for mental health and well-being.

Despite the company’s clarification, skepticism remains. Many online users have questioned the authenticity of the initial leaked email, suggesting it may have been a publicity stunt designed to launch the new de-stress policy and corporate packages. The timing of the controversy, coinciding with YesMadam’s rapid scaling and its previous success on the reality TV show *Shark Tank India*, has fueled these suspicions.

YesMadam, which secured investments from prominent Indian entrepreneurs including Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), Vineeta Singh (Sugar), Ritesh Aggarwal (OYO), and Aman Gupta (boAt), now faces the challenge of regaining public trust after the highly publicized accusations. The incident highlights the growing concerns surrounding workplace stress and the importance of employee well-being in the fast-paced startup environment.

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