An anonymous employee of the cash-strapped Standard Group PLC threatened to commit suicide during a regular staff meeting, where the CEO interacts with workers.
A confidential inside source revealed to The Kenya Times that the employee made the threat on Wednesday, November 8, on Slido, a digital meeting platform.
Slido allows the employees to share their feedback with the administration and amongst themselves anonymously. Standard Group management uses the platform regularly to sample questions and comments during its quarterly staff meetings.
Further, the employee indicated that the media company had until Friday, November 10, to pay the salary arrears or he/she would do the unthinkable to end the frustrations.
Notably, the source, who attended the meeting, indicated that the company’s CEO Joe Munene, and other managers were also present on the platform. However, they did not respond to the threat.
According to the individual, the company’s delay in remitting the salary had led them into depression.
“I am going to commit suicide by Friday if you people don’t pay us!!! I’m going through depression because of Standard,” the message stated.
Also Read: Standard Group Announces Mass Layoffs Again
How Salary Arrears are Affecting Employees
At the same time, other employees on the platform aired their sentiments complaining that they were not able to pay bills including rent, yet they are working for the Mombasa-road based media giant.
In addition, they lamented that the Moi-owned company only remitted 20 percent of the gross salary while the bosses earned handsomely.
“It is very hard to participate when we get as little as 20 percent, not even enough to pay rent, yet you want us to keep our part of the bargain,” another user stated.
“How do managers get paid 70 percent of June’s salary and we get 20 percent of September? How do we come to work?” another added.
Also Read: KTN Reporter Quits After 6 Years as Standard Group Woes Deepen
Joe Munene, who took over from Orlando Lyomu is said to have swept the complains under the carpet.
Furthermore, the employees indicated that the company did not provide them with data or airtime and facilitation while going about their work.
Others raised concerns that some of the managers tasked with steering Standard Group were clueless and that it was almost impossible to turn around the financial situation of the firm that has been in the red for years.
Standard Group Mass Layoffs
Earlier in October 2023, the company asked its employees to take early retirement as it restructured its staff.
At the same time, the CEO indicated to the employees that the firm would compensate those who would volunteer to exit the company adding that it would enable them to slash their payroll.
Additionally, the company indicated that the offer would remain open between October 6, to October 11, 2023.
Notably, the request came months after Standard fired some of its employees because they struggled to stay afloat.
“After careful consideration and in our ongoing efforts to adapt to changing business needs, we are pleased to announce the availability of a Voluntary Early retirement (VER) package,” the statement read in part.
Standard Group owns a chain of media brands, including KTN News, KTN Home, The Standard Newspaper, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, and Vybez Radio among others.
SACCO Members Dilemma
Besides the delayed salaries, SACCO dues remain a headache for the company, with some of its former staff, running out of options as they pursue their money.
Before the financial struggles, a majority of SG current and former employees belonged to Network Sacco, domiciled at the media house headquarters.
