Thread regarding Saudi Aramco layoffs

I am very sure that the majority of really good new hires don't get past the three year mark. Those who stay train themselves to tread water in place and people who tread water in place for extended periods of time for whatever reason aren't crack employees anywhere on the planet and the very best won't tread water for any kind of money.

i dont agree that this is an unwritten social contract. when a company decides to layoff people, they look usually to the highest cost employee. this is everywhere in the world, it means you layoff fewere people because they cost more to retain. Further, the salaries you are getting that provide this much money is basically because they wanted you to move there, would you have gone if you were making the same as before you go there ? It is not about fair or not really, they have from what people tell me phased out most of these contracts because they are not long term viable for a company that supports the entire country of nearly 28 million people. Why would saudis want to pay a westerner a pension when they can save those millions for their own local population ? Further, the company is a career for only a few , many choose to stay for the money of course and family life but having been there for a few months i left the same money you are talking about because i saw that this was not a place i wanted to stay in for 20 years or so mostly because you dont really do anything worthwhile in terms of a career, no progression, no enccouragement, just really needy locals who dont really treat you that well because they know you make more than them. It was an issue when i was there and it will always be a sore spot for the saudis you work with. there was no genuine friendships there with my colleagues and i came with three friends and within 2 years we all left. Everyone was making similar money to what you are saying. The world is bigger than aramco.

"After 2-3 years, most good people fold their hands and move on." Really, are you sure? That is not the case. It is ok as management positions are for Saudi staff but why would you want a management position any way! The door was open for technical staff to be promoted to high grade codes and a lot are earning well above the level of their Saudi colleagues. The layoffs are mostly marginal performers and/or too expensive like any where else. The layoffs are being paid off fairly. It is ok if I am to be laid off then I shall go nicely with still in good terms with the colleagues.

Im guessing this is one of the unemployables

"After 2-3 years, most good people fold their hand and move on."?? I would disagree...

You're assuming "most" expats think like this. I don't think most do.

If you're making $10-15K PER MONTH with a huge tax discount only available by living overseas and are getting a 9% dollar-for-dollar 401K match, are you gonna voluntarily leave that simply because of frustration with having to do a majority of the heavy lifting? I don't think so!

It's an unwritten social contract that every "western" expat in KSA must understand and accept...You will do most of the difficult work, get very little recognition for your efforts (if any), get blamed for your bosses failures, your boss will take credit for and get promoted from the fruits of your ideas, you'll get average performance ratings and smaller raises than most of your co-workers every year, stand little chance for promotion, be passed over for attending conferences or training, you'll be at work at 7 when the rest of the office drags in by 8 or 8:30...you'll leave for lunch at 11:25 when the rest of the office cuts out at 11. You'll be back in your chair after lunch at 12:45, while the rest of the office may stroll back in at 1 or 1:30...some won't return at all after lunch. You'll leave the office on Thursday at 3:55, while most of the office has already left for the Causeway at 2:00. But then, at the end of the month, you take your salary, keep your mouth shut and don't rock the boat...Full stop.

This is not meant to be rude...It's just the reality.

Those that understand this are the guys who most likely will ride out the storm and survive future rounds of layoffs. Those that rock the boat and constantly complain will get or have already received the pink slip. (Not everyone laid off falls into this category, obviously...) but the layoffs certainly present management a great opportunity to get rid of their problem expats. I've also heard that several professionals who are at the top of their game have been let go as well. Those guys will quickly bounce back and find employment when they're ready and willing to work again. Life isn't always fair. Deal with it.

Just remember the old saying..."Don't bite the hand that feeds you."

If you're not OK with this unwritten contract, don't go to work in KSA. SImple as that. It's not for you.

This formula is well-known and not a secret.