Standard Group Orders Mandatory Counseling Sessions for its Journalists

The Standard Media Group Mombasa Road Offices . Thursday, October 14, 2019.
The Standard Media Group Mombasa Road Offices . Thursday, October 14, 2019
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

Standard Media Group announced a two-day mandatory counseling session for its employees ahead of the looming mass layoffs.

In a notice seen by Kenyans.co.ke, all employees were directed to either attend the sessions physically or by virtual means, between Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25

According to the listed giant, the aim of the exercise is to manage anxiety, anger, fear of job loss, or stress, during the retrenchment period. 

"Following the notice of intention to declare redundancy issued on Friday, September 30, 2022, it is critical to hold a pre-redundancy counseling session for all employees in order to manage anxiety, anger, fear of job loss, or stress, especially during this period."

Spice FM studio
Spice FM studio
Twitter

"The purpose of this exercise is to provide employees with a positive mental health mindset to the pre and post-redundancy process," read part of the notice. 

The Group announcement sent through email stated that the counseling sessions would be carried out at a time stipulated according to their respective departments. 

"Please note that the sessions will be physical at Green Park and virtual for the Bureaus. Attendance is mandatory."

The company announced the move to declare some of its employees redundant to cope with the state of the harsh economic times that have seen revenues dip.

The media house affirmed that it was also adapting to the changing media space that is embracing technology.

"I wish to notify all members of staff of the company's intention to declare redundancy across various departments. This has been necessitated for the following reasons: 

"Disruption of our business in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic which continues to negatively impact the Group's revenues and the restructuring of the business to adopt a leaner, more efficient structure," read the memo.

_KTN News studios pictured in October 2021. .jpg
A photo of KTN News studios along Mombasa Road in October 2021.
Nicholas Wambua