Thread regarding Anadarko Petroleum Corp. layoffs

The company I work for received over 500 resumes for a geologist position. From talking to HR that is common for most technical jobs. If you are lucky enough to have a job with a decent employer you need to keep it for now. Now is not the time to be complaining about the misery of your job.

I see the avoidance techniques and the quick glances put on by the remaining APC employees who work at the Denver office which triggers a slight chuckle and smirk. Considering yourselves as the 'Fortunate' ones is quite comical as you honestly don't know how bad you have it. The few remaining APC people are quite miserable in their current position. Oh well.

I've had frequent discussions with current APC employees in multiple disciplines and you're correct - the moral couldn't be worse. The frequent thread is that many of the survivors of the big one were the people who should have been let go even during the good times. They are now back to their old ways and know how to game their superiors. It's easy since some of the superiors should never have been promoted to the positions they hold anyhow. The talent is slowly escaping and finding better companies to work for and leave as soon as the opportunities become available. So, bottom line - it's great to watch the blowing up of what was once a pretty good company to work for. I'm working for a much better company, we don't have the forced slogans about core values, but everyone, from the top to bottom, behaves much more ethically and responsibly and with enthusiasm than a lot of the "future" of Anadarko.

I think the point was why would we keep working for oil companies. Which it a good point given the number of collapses this industry has had over the past 30 years. And to be honest if I were 20 years younger and had an opportunity in a different industry I would get out of oil and gas. The downturns are too brutal. Like no other industry.

Six is hardly anything for 30 years. I have been at 8 in 31 years, and it could have been more. With the up and down industry it is only a matter of time before everyone falls to the layoff man.

The question sounds reasonable to me, however, I'm glad I'm out of the industry. Now THAT is not silly. Keep on going though, good luck and have fun. I'll keep an eye out on the downward spiral.

That's a question from someone who hasn't been in the business very long... and wasn't around during the late 1980's and all of 1990's. Silly.

Why have you worked at six different oil companies?

I've worked at six different oil companies in my 30 year career. Anadarko is by far the best place I have worked.

You might not like your boss, but the building and amenities are top notch. Many want know how good they have it until they go to the next place. If you live in The Woodlands why go downtown or further to work? Be happy.

Maybe APC will become a Harvard Business School case study in how to transform a great company into a tattered shell of its former self. Our EC would make a colorful cast of characters wouldn't they? Buffoons.