Family Bank learns how not to suspend afternoon staff tea (the hard way)
Family is grappling with a PR nightmare after its internal staff memo announcing a cost cutting plan of suspending afternoon tea found its way into social media.
In the memo, the bank explained the decision as a “hard choice” made in a bid to cut costs. It was signed by the Procurement and Logistics officer Muchane Ndung’u.
The memo’s authenticity was confirmed by the bank’s Public Relations Manager Norman Mudibo.
“Beginning Tuesday August 22, we have suspended company sponsored afternoon tea and only morning tea will be served. Please know, this is not a decision that has been taken lightly; a lot of thought and debate went into making this decision. Every little bit of cost cutting will help us get back to profitability,” wrote Mr Ndung’u.
A staff seemingly took a photo of the memo and shared it with the rest of the world.
The bank posted a net loss of Sh492.4 million in its latest financial report compared to a net profit of Sh711.5 million the year before.
Kenyans online weighed in on the cost cutting measure.
Family Bank suspends afternoon tea to cut costs. Tough times Ahead #JohoInaugration pic.twitter.com/6oXh0xikCr
— Pal Jeff (@Pal_Jeff) August 22, 2017
Githeri made a man a celebrity, tea is making Family Bank fame with a free publicity. Unga made Jubilee gov't famous too. The power of food!
— Simon Ingari (@Simon_Ingari) August 22, 2017
Wouldn’t want to be served by a family bank teller in the afternoon when in kakamega or thereabouts ?
— Brian R (@AbdulBrian) August 21, 2017
@FamilyBankKenya revise n notify the staff’s about the intended increment n Treat them well n you’ll hit your targets.#secret
— Jay.. (@JamesMwaura2) August 21, 2017
@FamilyBankKenya if you can’t afford milk & sugar I think it’s time I withdrew my money.
— Dija Abdul (@DijaAbdul) August 21, 2017
