Thread regarding Saudi Aramco layoffs

Yeah, that place is a He-l Ho-e! Was great place to work at one time, unfortunately not anymore.

For me. Very good. I thought maybe it might be complicated. But no, I found the process very easy. The people in Personnel were so helpful. I am retired now and happy to have worked for so long with this great company.

You must have had some Saudi friends with wasta if your process went smoothly.

It was very smooth. Good work by the HR folks. I had a good leaving experience. Fond memories of a great company.

I resigned this year, I was expecting a real sh-t show based on rumours I’d heard. This will disappoint a lot of people, but the resignation process went very smoothly for me. I got what was owed to me and there was even a leaving breakfast with gifts before I left. I’m glad I came to Aramco, but I’m also glad I left. But the people who turned up at my do, (many of which I didn’t even like!) were nothing but nice to me. It made me realise that even some (not all) the locals who I had frustrations working with, were at heart good people. It’s the pressures of work that makes people behave in a way that disappoint you.

Worst case was for those layoff during Covid, HR communication was really hard, inexperienced ladies, they try their best but they don't know and need to deal with tens of people. Sometimes they push you to accept cash in lieu instead of travel tickets, yes in a pandemic of closed borders, some lucky ones can take humanitarian flights but others needs to wait with constant pressure to leave until you speak with your former manager to stop that. Also push to sell your car but even you still to remain a couple of months and you know in Arabia a car is a real need. In summary really bad handling. 👎.

Both the onboarding and leaving processes are bureaucratic, frustrating, and time consuming. The jump thru the hoop list is long and, if you get out of sequence, the process become more miserable. Saudi staff don't care and those few that do, have given up. Note to prospect new hires, you have been warned.

I had a great experience when I left. It was in early days of covid. My HR rep was top notch and provided me with great assistance and expert advice. My queries were always answered in full and the advice was proactive. Top marks for Aramco HR.

If you’re retiring after a 25+ year tenure, the experience can be pleasant, but tiring. You have to visit a lot of knowledgeable people to help guide you through the electronic and procedural processes. Human Resource representatives handling retirees can be very cordial and helpful.

If you’re being laid off, you can expect indifference and outright disrespect from Human Resource personnel. “Go Fetch Rover” is the attitude adopted by HR, which leaves one to fend for themselves.

Laid off during covid, my HR agent was never available by phone, email, message, smoke signal, prayer etc., frankly it was disgusting how they tried to push us out with no support, frankly it showed Aramco for the pitiful bunch of bullies they are. Same as my working life in Aramco, action, no consequences. I loved my time there but would not return without bags and bag of cash. They will rehire expats someday soon but my advice, sc--w them for as much as you can get as you will earn it.

That’s horrendous but not surprising behaviour. They say True Colors come through in a crisis, that shows their real intentions. What a bunch of crooks.

I left just before the pandemic hit so you could consider it a fairly normal exit experience. I wasn't pleasant, that's for sure. Among your work acquaintances it was like you had passed on. But you persevere, keeping your eye on the prize. I cannot imagine what it was like for those that had to exit under pandemic protocols. I believe that it would be h*llish and chaotic beyond workable.

Horrible!

I was laid off 2 years ago during the Covid Epidemic when Aramco decided to kick out all their expat employees.

I was stuck at home for almost a whole year while the incompetent HR harassed me daily in order to save their skin when they realized they can’t just kick people out when the country is in lock down. I know Some people who had to even give off all their stuff for free when the shipping companies pulled out at the last minute and they lost everything and went back to nothing. Iqamas, exit entry visa everything was dumped on the employee with almost no guidance or coordination and the HR would harass you daily and threaten police to come uproot your family if you didn’t comply.

Luckily I got a good and much better paying job back home and I am SO happy with the quality of life improvements that Aramco could never provide. Good riddiance. It’s good to be back in normal civilization.