Why permanent staff at Nation Media Group are not sitting pretty

By Newsflash Reporter

Permanent and pensionable staff at Nation Media Group (NMG) are facing mounting pressure as the company introduces a new productivity-based evaluation system, Newsflash has learnt.

According to internal sources, the media house has unveiled criteria that will determine rewards or penalties for employees based on their individual output and contribution to the company’s growth.

The move comes amid concerns that permanent staff have been underperforming, leaving the bulk of the workload to contractual employees and field Correspondents.

The new system is expected to fundamentally change how staff performance is measured and how recognition is awarded within the media house.

“It will not be business as usual once the purge targeting Correspondents and Contributors is over. The focus will now shift to permanent staff who have been underperforming. If someone is found lacking, the axe will definitely fall on them,” an insider told Newsflash.

Focus on productivity and accountability

The new approach reflects a broader strategy by NMG to trim payroll costs while ensuring that staff are compensated fairly for their actual contributions.

Employees will now be assessed on tangible metrics such as work output, timeliness, and overall impact on departmental performance. Those who consistently fall short of the expected standards may face penalties, including reduced benefits or other disciplinary measures.

Sources told Newsflash that some permanent employees have been deliberately underperforming, arriving late to work, and delegating their responsibilities to junior staff or contract workers. In many departments, this has resulted in Correspondents shouldering more than 60 percent of the workload, while permanent staff contribute only about 30 percent or less.

A senior staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “For years, permanent employees have enjoyed the security of pensionable positions while contributing minimally. The new system is designed to hold everyone accountable, regardless of their tenure.”

The shake-up follows the recent dismissal of several Correspondents and Contributors, a move widely seen as part of the company’s effort to streamline operations and ensure efficiency. Now, the spotlight is shifting to the permanent workforce, signaling that no one is immune from scrutiny.

Implications for staff and organizational culture

Industry analysts suggest that the move could significantly alter the working culture at NMG. Permanent staff, accustomed to long-term job security, may be forced to increase output, improve efficiency, and take a more active role in the company’s growth.

While the changes are aimed at boosting productivity, they may also generate tension within departments as employees adjust to stricter accountability measures.

“This is a wake-up call for all permanent employees. They will have to demonstrate their value and prove that they are essential to the company’s operations,” said a media industry observer.

The NMG management has reportedly been monitoring performance trends across all departments for several months, using both quantitative and qualitative measures. Staff evaluations will now factor in individual contributions to editorial output, timeliness, teamwork, and initiative. Underperformers risk disciplinary action, and in extreme cases, termination.

Permanent staff members have historically enjoyed job security, pension benefits, and other perks, while Correspondents and contract workers have carried out the bulk of operational tasks, often under challenging conditions. The new policy aims to rebalance this dynamic, ensuring that all employees, regardless of contract type, are evaluated on merit and actual contribution to the media house.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, Nation Media Group appears determined to adapt its workforce to modern standards of accountability and performance.

How permanent staff respond to this shift will likely shape the company’s culture and output in the coming years.