Tue Dec 10 05:18:30 UTC 2024: ## Shark Tank Startup Yes Madam Faces Backlash After Laying Off 100+ Stressed Employees
**NEW DELHI** – Yes Madam, a home salon startup featured on the popular Indian reality show *Shark Tank India*, is facing intense online criticism after allegedly terminating over 100 employees who reported high levels of stress in a company-conducted mental health survey.
The controversy erupted after a former Yes Madam copywriter, Anushka Dutta, posted on LinkedIn detailing the mass layoffs. Dutta shared a screenshot of an email from the company’s HR department stating that the terminations were intended to prevent employees from working under stress. The email’s wording has sparked outrage, with many calling the move unethical and highlighting the already high levels of workplace stress in India. The post has garnered thousands of likes and comments.
While some users have praised Dutta for speaking out and expressed concern over the incident, others have questioned the authenticity of the event, speculating it might be a publicity stunt. Inc42 has reached out to Yes Madam for comment but has yet to receive a response.
This incident comes amid growing concerns about employee burnout in India. Recent reports indicate that a significant percentage of Indian employees experience work-related burnout, far exceeding the global average.
Yes Madam, founded in 2016, secured funding on *Shark Tank India* in February and reported significant revenue growth in FY23. However, this is not the first time the company has faced controversy; last year it was criticized for a data security breach. The current situation raises questions about the company’s workplace culture and its response to employee well-being. The controversy underscores the broader issue of workplace stress and mental health in India’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem.
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