Hang in there you all
8 replies (most recent on top)
There were solid - high performing people let go earlier this year too, don't kid yourself
Frustrates me when people think that any of this has to do with performance, when it actually has NOTHING to do with performance. hey tailor the ratings to get rid of who they want to get rid of. I know a guy who was let go earlier this year after 3-4 years of 1-2 ratings. New boss, all of a sudden he is a 4 - now how, in any reasonable world do you go from a top 20% to bottom 20% employee in the span in 8 months (remember our COP performance cycle is less than a year)? Oh yeah - your boss is petty/insecure and/or just doesn't like you personally. Those who didn't spend time at the bosses cube stroking his/her ego were the first to go, nothing to do with performance. This is coming from somebody who is still employed here.
I'm sure if we all asked around then we'd find more of the same/similar stories
Plenty of worried and very distracted people. Tough to keep your concentration in this environment. I wish the Calgary folks were also offerred the same option as the L48 employees (i.e., raise your hand for consideration of a package). There are people here I've spoken to that would gladly throw thier hat into the ring, but are afraid to do so without this offer of consideration. Most of the poor performers were let go earlier this year. Only 3+ rated staff left. There will be some very solid performers out of a job soon.
It is bad in Calgary. The numbers announced by the company are misleading. The 400 layoffs are in the Calgary office which translates to 25-30% of the staff there. Going to be ugly and there is no place to find work. Penn West, a local intermediate company, just announced they are laying off 400 people or 35% of their work force and there are many more to come before this is over.
I've been playing floor hockey in the can with most of our team. We're getting good..... Real good
Wear sunscreen
Hang in there. if you're one of the unlucky ones know that you're in good company (I was let go earlier tis year). Not that it is any consolation at the time.
Only advice - don't show any emotion; treat it like it's just business, because it really is. Don't burn any bridges - you never know when you'll need a reference, or when you may cross paths with some of these people again
I got laid off from Gulf Canada (Conoco long ago predecessor) in 1986 when oil went to $8. Sure it was hard and it took me 8 months to get another job (because I worked offshore projects) BUT I never looked back and I never joined a large company again. If you do opt to stay in oil, go with a SMALL company. They will treat you as a person. You most likely will get stock options, travel, more opportunity for advancement and a much more secure career. It will happen - the world is and always will be dependant on oil.
People are scared