Empty office cubicles (stock image).Photo:Getty
Getty
The company later addressed the layoffs with a statement.
“No one was fired at YesMadam,” the company said. “Let us be clear: We would never take such an inhumane step.”
Mayank Arya, YesMadam’s co-founder and CEO, said the picture on LinkedIn was the first step of a marketing initiative shedding light on workplace stress and mental health.
He claimed the campaign intended to foster a healthier work culture. Arya also acknowledged the misstep and extended “heartfelt apologies for any miscommunication.”
Karthik Srinivasan, a branding and communications consultant, toldBBC Newsthere is no place for lies in advertising.
“Exaggeration is an accepted and successful advertising strategy, where a brand uses creative license to push the limits of the truth to make a point,” he said. “But the exaggeration is so obvious or conspicuous that a consumer isn’t likely or expected to believe it.”
YesMadam markets itself as “India’s favorite home salon brand.” The company, with more than 300 employees, offers several in-home services like haircare, skincare, massages and other treatments. YesMadam was featured on a season 3 episode ofShark Tank India.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Despite the online reaction, YesMadam remains committed to its original mission.
“After recognizing the prevalence of stress among our employees through an internal survey, we introduced the ‘six-day de-stress paid leave policy’ along with complimentary spa sessions,” Arya added. “These measures were designed to address burnout and promote holistic well-being.”
“Although the campaign began on the wrong note, we hope it serves as a catalyst for driving positive change and promoting a healthier work culture across industries,” Arya concluded.
source: people.com
