YesMadam's marketing strategy did not go well with social media users (image-X/yesmadam).

A day after claiming to have fired over 100 employees for being stressed at work, home salon services company YesMadam issued a clarification on Tuesday and stated that it was a social media campaign planned to highlight the “serious issue of workplace stress.”

The Noida-based startup’s HR email had gone viral and triggered a social media uproar for claiming to fire employees following an internal survey on workplace stress and then subsequently using the data to fire employees who indicated significant stress.

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In its latest LinkedIn post, the company apologised for distress caused by the email. “Let us be clear: We 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,” read the statement.

“The social media posts were a planned effort to highlight the serious issue of workplace stress. And to those who shared angry comments or voiced strong opinions, we say Thank you. When people speak up, it shows they care—and care is at the heart of our business,” stated YesMadam.

The company claimed that employees who indicated significant stress were given a break to reset and were urged to rest and recharge, along with introducing a de-stress leave policy and an initiative to offer spa sessions at the workplaces.

However, netizens continued to slam the startup and especially its marketing team for coming up with such a strategy. “Companies need to understand when to draw the line. Not everything is a ‘marketing campaign,’” observed a LinkedIn user, while another remarked, “Whoever approved this stupid PR stunt should probably fire themselves.”

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On a more serious note, another user said, “The Advertising Standards Council of India should seriously take a hard look at this utterly tone-deaf campaign. Using a grave issue like layoffs—a reality affecting millions—to promote a product is as irresponsible as it is tasteless. Are the LinkedIn “influencers” who hyped this farce ready to face the music for trivializing the struggles of people actually being laid off? It’s like yelling “fire” in a crowded theater, only to announce a sale on marshmallows. Campaigns like this don’t just cross the line; they bulldoze right over it, leaving nothing but bad taste and frustration in their wake. Bravo, brand geniuses—truly cutting-edge insensitivity.”