YesMadam, a home salon and tech-enabled platform for beauty and wellness known from Shark Tank, recently addressed a controversy following the leak of an email that insinuated they were terminating employees who reported significant stress in a survey. In their statement, the company expressed regret for any distress caused by the social media posts that suggested the dismissal of stressed employees. The viral email circulating online claims that YesMadam, based in Noida, has laid off staff members who participated in their internal survey and indicated they were experiencing extreme stress.

Is the leaked email a desperate plea for attention or assistance?

The company stated, ‘" We urged them to rest and recharge." This reiterates their commitment to employee well-being and support. The company also said, “We recently conducted a survey to better understand how you feel about work-related stress. We truly appreciate the openness with which many of you shared your concerns, and we want you to know that your well-being is our top priority. As a company dedicated to creating a healthy and supportive work environment, we have carefully considered your feedback. We recognize that this is a sensitive situation, and we want to assure you that this decision is effective immediately. Affected employees will receive further details personally. We are grateful for your contributions and are committed to finding better ways to support everyone in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Note - The email has not been individually verified.

YesMadam's response to the recent controversy has failed to quell the backlash on social media, with many users deeming the statement tone-deaf and lacking sensitivity. Users expressed their discontent, stating that "the Advertising Standards Council of India should seriously take a hard look at this utterly tone-deaf campaign." They criticized the use of a serious issue like layoffs, which affect millions, to promote a product, calling it "irresponsible" and "tasteless." Yes, Madam's recent marketing campaign marks a growing demand for brands to address sensitive topics with the consideration they warrant, especially in the current climate. The days of viral briefs are over. If brands continue to pursue them, it's usually not a good strategy but rather to satisfy outmoded expectations.

Yes Madam' and work culture- Reflecting on India's work culture

A staggering 62 per cent of Indian employees are grappling with burnout, which is three times the global average of 20 per cent. This alarming situation stems from pervasive work-related stress and a dire lack of work-life balance, as revealed by a report from MediBuddy and CII. The findings underscore a significant trend: job seekers now prioritize employee wellness programs as a critical factor in their employment decisions. The urgency of addressing work culture has been further intensified by the tragic case of Anita Augustine. In a powerful letter to Rajiv Memani, the chief of Ernst & Young (EY) in India, she alleged that her daughter, Anna Sebastian Perayil, succumbed to work-related stress just four months into her tenure at EY.

Augustine detailed how her daughter was compelled to work late into the night and at weekends without sufficient breaks. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the gravity of the situation: more than half of the global population is part of the workforce and approximately 15 per cent of working-age adults battle anxiety disorders. Alarmingly, it is estimated that a staggering 12 billion working days are lost annually worldwide due to anxiety and depression, resulting in an enormous economic impact of around $1 trillion in lost productivity. The time for change in work culture is not just necessary but urgent.

Conclusion

The outrage about Yes Madam's recent campaign showers much-needed light on the Indian workplace culture. Where the gruelling work hours are fostering a detrimental impact on wellbeing, it is of utmost importance to reflect on our sense of ethics and values. Whether it associates itself in the forms of our advertising endeavours or the workplace culture, it is up to all of us to reflect on what is acceptable and what is not.

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