“No one was fired”, YesMadam, a platform offering at-home beauty and spa services, has clarified after it was reported that several employees who flagged work stress were laid off by the Noida-based startup.

Dismissing all social media posts producing such claims, the company assured in a three-page long statement it would never take such an “inhuman step.”

“Our team is like family, and their dedication, hard work, and passion are the foundation of all our successes,” the statement read.

Yesterday, an internal email from YesMadam sparked controversy online. According to the email, allegedly sent by Ashu Arora Jha, HR Manager at YesMadam, the company recently conducted a survey to understand employees’ feelings about stress at work.

Basis the survey result, the company took the “difficult decision to part ways with employees who indicated significant stress.”

The screenshot of the email was shared on LinkedIn by Shitiz Dogra, IndiGo’s Associate Director of Digital Marketing.

However, according to YesMadam, the social media posts were a “planned effort to highlight the serious issue of workplace stress”. The company thanked people for voicing their strong opinions and sharing angry comments.

“When people speak up, it shows they care and care is at the heart of our business,” it said.

“The employees weren’t fired. Instead, they were given a break to reset; encouraged to release their stress; offered a chance to relax; and urged to rest and recharge,” the company claimed.

With this, YesMadam took the lead in introducing India’s first de-stress policy offering:

• Six de-stress paid leaves annually to take time for mental health and rejuvenation
• Complimentary YesMadam spa session at home

Calling corporates to “make employee well-being the new norm”, YesMadam urged to create businesses that thrive on “care, collaboration and compassion”.

“We firmly believe that the backbone of any great organization is not built on stressed shoulders but on happy minds,” it said while signing off.

A young Chinese woman, Li, from Henan province, suffered a severe psychological breakdown after being scolded by her supervisor at work. According to South China Morning Post, Li became catatonic and stopped eating, drinking, moving, or engaging in conversation. This disturbing incident began a month prior when her team leader reprimanded her, leaving her unhappy and ultimately leading to a complete emotional and physical shutdown.

As Li’s condition continued to deteriorate, her physical abilities also severely declined. Her family reported that if they removed the pillow from beneath her head, it would hang limply in mid-air, unable to support itself. Furthermore, she lost control over basic bodily functions, requiring constant assistance from her loved ones to remind her to use the toilet.

Dr. Jia Dehuan, Li’s physician at Zhengzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, described her condition as resembling a “wooden” figure, devoid of movement or responsiveness. According to Dr. Jia, Li was suffering from a catatonic stupor, a severe symptom of depression characterized by immobilisation, unresponsiveness, loss of motor control, and withdrawal from reality. This rare and extreme manifestation of depression is often triggered by intense emotional trauma or stress.

The doctor noted that Li had an introverted personality and struggled to open up to those around her, which ultimately contributed to her more severe condition. Under Dr. Jia’s care, Li received the necessary treatment and support to recover from this critical condition. 

The disturbing incident has sparked widespread concern and debate on mainland Chinese social media. Users expressed shock and sympathy for Li’s ordeal and outrage over workplace bullying and stress. One user wrote, ”If your job is too demanding, it’s better to leave rather than suffer in silence.”

Another commented, ”She had been torturing herself due to her boss’s actions.”

A recent survey by the Chinese Psychological Society shed light on the alarming state of workplace mental health in China. The findings revealed that 4.8% of employees experienced workplace depression, while 80% reported feelings of agitation at work. Additionally, 60% of respondents cited anxiety, and nearly 40% exhibited symptoms of depression, according to Shangguan News (2023). 

The survey’s results highlight the pressing issue of workplace mental health in China, where high work demands, limited job security, poor work-life balance, and inadequate communication contribute to the problem.