The Standard Group, one of the leading multi-media publishers in Kenya, will send workers home in the next one month, mirroring what has become an annual ritual in the industry.
As opposed to previous redundancies that have mainly affected journalists, the company’s chief executive, Orlando Lyomu, said the job cut will be across departments, painting a gloomy picture for an industry that has been hit by headwinds for years, making it one of the worst sectors.
Covid-19 disruptions, the changing methods of media consumption and “restructuring of the business to adopt a leaner, more efficient structure” defined the latest step, said the CEO in an internal memo to the staff on September 30.
He said the intended separation will be “fair” and in compliance with the employment law while those leaving will be paid 15 days — or half monthly salary — for every full year worked or according to their CBA details.
The company will be busy during the notice month offering private counselling and financial management tips since those leaving have been known to face an uncertain future that may affect them emotionally, mentally, and psychologically.
For years now, media companies have been feeling the pinch of the changing trends in the industry, partly with the increased use of modern technology tools to publish, broadcast and sell data to individuals and organisations.
The fever-pitch is steadily gnawing at the pie of traditional publishing — which remains the core business of most media companies–, including newspapers that thrived on breaking news, something that has been watered down by the pervasive social media and online news media.
