I got laid off yesterday from Sugar Land working on development of a new project, they fired most of the manufacturing department, numerous engineers and some of the testing people. I personally am a visa holder and have been in the US a year, I was marched out of the building with no info about being repatriated and my household goods being shipped home which they are now trying to weasel out of even though it is in my contract to do it.
To rub salt in the wound I found out of my ex manager if I had been offered back to the field, with me being an international, they probably could've got me a position somewhere else and kept my job. Obviously my manager and unprofessional HR department couldn't be bothered to pick up the phone and do this for a hard working employee.
This whole thing has been done totally unprofessionally, and that is not sour grapes I have worked for many companies around the world in the past and I would expect more from a firm like Schlumberger.
I also have it on good authority there are more to come in February. They are really shooting themselves in the foot losing all this talent and experience and as had been previously said when it picks up they will be moaning how hard it is to get staff.