Company conducts mental health survey and then fires employees who are stressed

Mental health surveys at workplaces act as an essential tool for companies to gauge their employees’ well-being. But what if businesses turn it into an “excuse” to fire their workers instead of judging them basis their performance? A similar bizarre incident happened when a startup allegedly decided to lay off over 100 of its employees overnight following the revelation of their “stress levels.” A UX copywriter, Anushka Dutta, among those who got laid off, took to LinkedIn to share an internal email allegedly sent by HR Manager Ashu Arora Jha to the staff at India-based company, YesMadam.

In the post, Dutta expressed her outrage over company’s decision to terminate staff members based on their mental health assessment. “What’s happening at YesMadam? First you conduct a random survey and then fire us overnight because we’re feeling stressed?” she wrote, asking some tough questions from the startup, which appeared on Shark Tank India in 2023. “And not just me—100 other people have been fired too,” the copywriter added.

The proposed email from HR started with talking about a recent survey conducted by the home salon company among its employees. “We conducted a survey to understand your feelings about stress at work. Many of you shared your concerns, which we deeply value and respect,” the Head of HR stated. The company, embroiled in the controversy, claimed itself to be committed to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment and came to the conclusion of “parting ways” with its stressed-out workers.

Furthermore, the company did not provide any additional time for its fired employees to seek other job opportunities, per the email. YesMadam went ahead to claim that the layoffs were aimed at ensuring “no one remains stressed at work.” Notably, the startup, which secured funding from prominent sharks during its appearance on the popular TV show “Shark Tank India,” had not issued any statement clarifying its stance. Meanwhile, several people on social media called out their alleged firing of over 100 employees, calling their move extremely “insensitive.”

Among them, Shishir C commented, “Firing employees for reporting stress in a workplace survey isn't just counterproductive—it's the epitome of irony.” “Imagine you thinking one day, 'Wow, HR is so concerned about my stress levels. They sent a survey to help me out.' Next moment, you are fired for being highly stressed,” added Abhishek Rasam. Describing it as an “inhumane approach,” Upsana Gaba said, “You pretended to care by sending over a 'Stress Survey' and basis of the same you chose to fire people.” “Opening up about your struggles, only to face rejection instead of support, must be deeply demoralizing,” Akshi Tara emphasized.

Several people were left confused about whether this alleged firing was actually real or merely a PR stunt to steal the limelight in the media space. “I believe this must be a marketing strategy. No company would treat their hardworking employees this way,” Mahesh Gavale suspected. “I'm holding back the long paragraph till someone confirms or denies the faux PR, clickbait status of this,” Nessica Birawadkar expressed. “If this is a marketing 'strategy,' those behind this unimaginative, backfiring idea should be the ones fired,” Sanjoy Alexander assumed.