Thread regarding Weatherford International Ltd. layoffs

Are Lay-Offs the only way?

Interestingly, this is the easy formula used by management. What about ideas like reduction in salaries?, or furlow?, or integration to eliminate duplications?, or closing business units that have never been profitable?, or a combination of all of this?. Of course, at the end of the day there will be lay-offs, but these are different that just massive lay-offs as the current practice is. Additionally, what about cutting at the top for lack of performance?. Wouldn't this be a noble idea?

In the case of Weatherford, it has been years since the company was profitable, and amazingly, my understanding is that the top executives have not missed a bonus, and have been exempted from the accountability of the results. However, today, the same executives have the best excuse for further negatively affecting the livelihood of employees (families) without discrimination. What is the excuse?, market conditions. This is not only through massive lay-offs, but also through eliminating bonuses to employees in 2015 for what was done in 2014, with the promise of granting it in split percentages of company shares (not cash), starting on April 2016. Those employees still working at Weatherford know what I am talking about. Those not working for the company anymore, won't get anything if laid off before April 2016. I wonder, will said shares be available still?

Moreover, if you had any stock options that were not vested at the time of lay-offs, you can start kissing them good bye. The company takes them back.

Times are tough, and tough decisions need to be taken. Everyone understands it. However, aren't real leaders, lead by example?

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Post ID: @OP+G2i0Tqc

30 replies (most recent on top)

Just received a bonus today. My cell bill paid and a car allowance. So for all you cry babies get a life and if you don't like your job, fine another. I for one love my job at Weatherford. Thanks WFT

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Post ID: @cogb+G2i0Tqc

Well it's the bottom of the 9th. All is good because ideas are actually being heard. Doesn't save nobody but a little goes a long way.

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Post ID: @5jhv+G2i0Tqc

I agree, the ones left that i know are working now than ever. Not many days off, working shirt handed is getting old. We do have more managers than needed. Whatever happened to that 5 handshake thing. I have more managers than hands in my division.

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Post ID: @3mme+G2i0Tqc

Why would anyone want to take a pay cut to possibly keep others from being laid off. Unfortunately if your sitting around not doing anything chances are you probably need laid off. I shouldn't have to bite the bullet when I'm actually generating money for the company while others are getting paid to do nothing. Get rid of some of the managers managing managers we are so top heavy to many chiefs not enough Indians.

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Post ID: @2eif+G2i0Tqc

Boo hoo oil slugs get up get new jobs ... What's up W hardy I don't miss y'all onebit lmao....hey where did the QC dept go lol.... Jail with the other guy ... I love reading about yalls miserable layoff woes I'm tickled pink. Penis Yoder I mean Peter Yaundis... And Chella "the lunch lady"... And fat boy down the hall..... If you aren't gone no wonder they yall going under.... Martin run .... Darrell... Run to ... Mike NASA is running again.... Larry go back to machine shop shit you know a lot about it....

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Post ID: @2xbb+G2i0Tqc

@G2i0Tqc-1oky Ah, so the work isn't there, but the sales guys are out pounding pavement all day to find work for the company? Is that why consultants didn't know that WFT was even around while they were out working? I've talked to consultants before that hadn't hired WFT in 6 months because they had heard that we pulled out of the area(we hadn't at that time). WFT had been the preferred choice at the time as well. So if sales had been working, why weren't they touching base with reasonable sized clients? They wouldn't have singlehandedly turned anything around, but if we got a good portion of the work we could have had a truck out a few times a week for them instead of it just sitting around not making any money. Yes the work is down, but if a week goes by where the field crews are generating more work than the salesmen are, they need to take a look at the sales department(especially if right after this happens the salesmen are celebrating the purchase of a box seat for NFL games).

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Post ID: @2fbv+G2i0Tqc

What a dumb ass to say that the work is not there (in sales) How can you build something and then keep building without getting rid of your inventory. You need sales. Same for frac. We were pumping stages and the boys in blue were pumping at triple the price for the same customer. Why, because every time they renewed the contract they got chicken shit feet and said we lower the price to keep the contract. That was great but again and again till we were fracking just to break even. Who negotiated that, THE SALES PEOPLE YOU DUMB F---

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Post ID: @2ykc+G2i0Tqc

To an 'old geezer' I'm in my 60's, I wasn't ready to retire, in fact they sort of mislead me, but not to complain, maybe I saved someone younger from being laid off, for a while anyway. I've worked hard all my life and my house is paid off as well, although you probably know repairs do cost a lot these days and as I can't physically do the work myself anymore I have to pay someone. I get bored staying at home, my kiddos tell me to get out and do things but as everyone in the oilfield business knows we worked so many hours, 6-7 days a week and our hobbies we used to enjoy went by the wayside so we could keep our job. Best wishes to you and your wife and everyone else. I won't post again because I feel like I should put this on face book instead.

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Post ID: @2nul+G2i0Tqc

Has sales seen any layoffs? Not where i'm at. Our minthky revenue is strady going down and our salesman are still living high on the hog. Half the salesman are old high paid managers from closed locations. What bothers me is they NEVER look at sales when laying off. Maybe they can promote an eager frac to sales and see what happens. Whats the worse that can happen?

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Post ID: @1qvg+G2i0Tqc

Lol another idiot blaming sales. The work is not there dumb ass. And our frac is in crapper because what little that is being done , we have many competes. So try to ride it out or go find a job with uncle joes frac co.

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Post ID: @1oky+G2i0Tqc

SAFETY IS TOO FAT--NOTHING TO DO!

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Post ID: @1bws+G2i0Tqc

I don't owe Weatherford anything. Even though it, not they, has given me so much. I agree that layoffs are a must at times like this. At the same time, times like these require a little more planning rather than hacking. I've seen our district do a lot of things to save money. What I haven't seen is a team of salesmen with balls to get out there and find us work. That's right, in order for you and I to stay employed sales have to be made. We have the technology, safety record,,equipment and personnel to out frac any mofo's out there. I know it, I belive it, I'm living it. Let's get some sales people, even if we have to send out some T&A sales people to open doors, new doors. If Fractec has work why don't we.

BTW in case your wondering T&A is titts and ass. I bet there a sales women with more balls to sell our products then the guys doing it now. Yeah times are tough, boo hoo blame the economy but companies are still fracking. Market conditions are not right,, there are still fracks going off. No work in our area, We're willing to travel instead of being at the yard .ok you've read enough. Let me just say one more thing. A lot of people are asking to cut upper management, why hasn't it been done. Oh that's right because they are the ones making the decisions where to cut. They are only looking down to look good to people above.

Let's all say, "Lord, thank you for allowing us to still be under your blessing. Protect those who serve you and others. Lighten our load and watch over our families. Amen"

Let's frac this bitch!

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Post ID: @1thf+G2i0Tqc

Listen guys, the structure is top heavy as compared to late 2008 - 2009. We are all making more money now than before but the work is the same or slightly a little more. How can we manage with the same pay/ headcount. Something has to give whether it's our headcount or the huge overhead at St. James Place!!

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Post ID: @1zdf+G2i0Tqc

To many safety guys sitting on their asses.

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Post ID: @1hak+G2i0Tqc

Hey Retired...thanks. I'm wondering, if you don't mind, what age range are you in? I'm in my mid-fifties. Paid off the house, got out of credit card debt, have nothing but normal utilities to pay and save everything I can. Like I said before, too young to retire yet rather old to be 'starting from scratch'. I am highly skilled in my trade and it is transferable-that is, outside of the oil field. My wife is sick and disabled so we would have minimal income should/when the worst happens. We would definitely have to move out of our area, and that is something I really don't want because my wife's doctors are all here. These times are definitely trying. Good luck to you.

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Post ID: @wib+G2i0Tqc

Another way they could save is stop wasting money on celebrating monthly birthdays by ordering cake, cupcakes, breakfast. What a waste, on but they did stop ordering the utensils and plates in the ktichen. So if u do get that slice of free birthday cake, bring your own plate and fork to eat it.

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Post ID: @uwe+G2i0Tqc

EDIT: @G2i0Tqc-sjk - That was 2014, not 2013. My bad!

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Post ID: @sbr+G2i0Tqc

I do know for one thing is that poor planning of the expensive JDE conversion during the 1st layoff in 2013 should have been put off. The implementation of several IT teams for WISE/One View and many other techie guru's subsequently sucked the money pit high and dry. Tech development and poor planning during an oil drop is not exactly the best way to hold on. Not saying IT is a bad thing, it was the fact that advanced technology seemed to be on the minds of investor's before saving jobs first. They are still doing it.... and we've lost how many people already? It's time to get back to the basics because it seems they are only interested in propping up the technical part than the physical. No balance whatsoever.

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Post ID: @sjk+G2i0Tqc

Bravo to all but the 'bitter beast' I agree with you 100%, I was asked to retire and unable to draw unemployment so I live the frugal life I've always lived and have a treat from time to time.

This is going to sound silly but if you get a chance to watch the BBC Downton Abby, you will see what kind of life we seem to be living now. If any bitter's want to make ugly remarks about this, be my guest, my feelings were hurt when someone made a nasty comment on the first post I made, but I don't care about that anymore. And by the way, I use spell check otherwise I would get a lot of nasty comments. Good Luck to all.

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Post ID: @bmv+G2i0Tqc

To all the bitter people..Ill pray for you. I'm in my mid 30's and even I don't want to start over. I've been sending out resumes and nothing yet so I continue to thank God everyday that I still have a job. When the time comes and Wft let's me go....guess what? Life goes on and we need to make the best of it.

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Post ID: @vij+G2i0Tqc

Thanks for telling me to shut up on an open forum. At my age I'm not about to sink myself into thousands of dollars of debt to go back to school. Bitter people like you make me think twice about posting here.

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Post ID: @ohk+G2i0Tqc

Hey Old Geezer just had a friend get his MBA at 61. Go get an AS IN NURSING AND MAKE $80K year. Until then shut up or reinvent yourself!

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Post ID: @asw+G2i0Tqc

They are already doing all that. And they will keep cutting so execs can get their bonuses for 2016

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Post ID: @ett+G2i0Tqc

Good post. From what I heard, options such as reduction in salaries, furlough or reduction in benefits (health coverage, paid vacation etc.) were evaluated by management....but they obviously chose layoffs as that might have been the easiest one for them. Word is if there are further reductions this year (which quite possibly there will be), these other options will be reconsidered. I heard they are already doing alternate Fridays off (unpaid) in Canada.

I wouldnt really mind the furlough option to get through these tuff times if it saves a few people of layoffs.

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Post ID: @oow+G2i0Tqc

I understood you, Anon. I, too, have some grammatical errors on my post but oh well. Hopefully the reader can look past that and get the meaning of what I said. No edit button is kind of a pain sometime :). By the way, excellent post.

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Post ID: @tda+G2i0Tqc

I should have read my post before posting. It should read:

I love my job, but they should care more about the field hands than they do.

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Post ID: @jps+G2i0Tqc

I also don't want furloughs. We are too short handed to take a day off now. I hope it gets better soon.

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Post ID: @lgm+G2i0Tqc

Two of the best written and honest posts I have read on this whole site.

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Post ID: @ahp+G2i0Tqc

I personally dont want a reduction in salary. We did it years ago to save jobs, but now there arent many left to save. We are working harder and longer than ever due being shortstaffed. I guess i am not at a level to hear about the stocks, but anything is better than nothing. There are still many duplicate manager positions that can be eliminated and their salary could save 2 to 3 lower level jobs. I am happy to have my job and i live my job, but they care more for the field hands.

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Post ID: @jbx+G2i0Tqc

What a thoughtful post. I agree with what you said. It does eat my lunch that the execs continue to get ridiculous bonuses while front line employees get the shaft or layed off. My husband has not gotten a raise in almost two years yet our expenses continue to climb. Trust me; we do not live a Kardashian lifestyle and never have. My husband is one thing of the fortunate few who is still actually working. We have had to cut the amount we are socking away for retirement. It really upsets us, but we have to live. We are all for capitalism and don't begrudge anyone who has made it to wealthy status. At the same time, when a company is destroying lives and families of working people while the execs get outrageous bonuses...something is very, very wrong. Naked greed gone amuck. In the meantime, my husband and I will continue to trudge through, pray that he stays employed and watch the continued destruction of the WFT stock price as well as what was once a really decent company to work for. You may wonder: why not look for another job? At our age, that is becoming less and less of a possibility. My husband is not ready to go to sweeping floors for Costco. We are too young to retire and a bit too old to start from scratch (although we do realize this is a very real possibility). To those 'regular Joes' out there still struggling to hang in to your job with Weatherford, we salute you. And we stand shoulder to shoulder with you. By the way, despite the fact that Weatherford has put bread on our table for many years, we have absolutely no loyalty to it. They've knifed my husband in the back too many times. You bet your boots should something better come along, he will jump at the opportunity. For now, there are no such possibilities, and we are left to sweat out every day and thank the Good Lord he has a job to go to the next day.

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Post ID: @vzr+G2i0Tqc

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