Thread regarding Enbridge Inc. layoffs

While all of the cost cutting measures are taking a toll on Enbridge’s culture, given the financial woes we are currently facing, they may be necessary to keep our investments in Enbridge strong (time will tell). It’s just too bad that it’s mostly the lower-level employees who are paying the price for these measures. Al and his team certainly aren’t.

If it weren’t for the leaders, I wouldn’t find Enbridge so miserable. Most of the regular employees are great, although I am seeing that some of them have become infected by the same sickness that has spread among the leaders. I don’t think they even realize it. They just emulate the leaders’ behaviour to fit in.

A motivation and inspiration killer to be sure, but a job nonetheless.

There are much better jobs out there.

Agree. I rank Enbridge as a “valued” company.

I wouldn't say easy to replace Enbridge. There's no better jobs out there, we are virtually owned by the big E. Out leverage is low, and they are aware of it as they have their way with us

Coincidence! I also rank Enbridge as a #3. Very easy to replace.

Everyone remaining at Enbridge has been ranked 1 to 3, 1 is the company would have a hard time replacing you, 2 is a person that it would take time to replace, 3 is someone who would be easy to replace. Based on your value ranking which block do you fit in?

When you hire really smart people to do important work, and then systematically diminish their salaries, STIP, pensions, benefits, titles and prospects for advancement, and then tell those same smart people that they are “valued,” they quickly conclude that, in fact, they are not. And they get kind of cranky about it, especially when they see that certain others remain unaffected by Enbridge’s cost savings measures.

To the listen clown guy, you act like you or your dad owns the company. It is a publicly listed company, so no one has to leave unless they want to. Even if you are Al and own a majority of stock, you and your buddies aka board of directors shower you with stock for just breathing. So don't even act like you have earned it. Forget employees Your performance to the shareholders s--- as well. Look at the return since you took over. Thinking about performance, I bet a clown could actually do better. Can't really do worse than the current state. So clown guy, go back to swallowing.

I wish this site had a "like" button for some of these comments.

On another note, I understand many of us are valued, but we don't feel that way. Our STIP multiplyer is now a 1 for individual. For those preciously above a 4, it makes a difference. I appreciate the definition, but knowing that no matter how much you step up it won't be noticed is not helpful.

E = Listen clown!

Nice try, Al. No, I am not leaving no matter how dreadful Enbridge has become. We'll just have to tolerate each other. Once I get my severance pay then I will gladly go.

Sounds like we “valued” employees are loved after all. Just not loved enough to be financially incented. We’re good, but not that good. And you’re right. We all can choose to leave, and save the company a lot of money by doing so.

Listen clown, if you don't like it then leave. Save us the severence pay. All of you are replaceable at less cost especially if you leave on your own.

Word orgies don't mean $hit. The raises have been non existent for the most part. The reason given was low oil prices. Yet Al has been getting an average of 40% raise every year for the past 3 years. That's right my friends, 40 with a 0 at the end. So the bull about low oil prices is for us morons only who buy that excuse. Al and the ELT are clearly the supernatural and God's chosen people so they deserve 40% raise every year.

I'd just like to provide the definition of Valued Performer as described in the performance process. As a manager, this is what we saw in workday (direct quote) but something you can't find on ELink and wasn't provided to us to have rating discussions.

I think there are some who are taking "Valued" to mean average (and even not valued) when the definition states something very different. It would have been helpful for this definition to be provided to leaders in communicating the performance rating, but you can't find it anywhere on ELink. I asked HR to send it to me so I could share:

Valued Performer: Achieved and may have exceeded expected results (job accountabilities and goals) in some areas, both in terms of quality and quantity. Results had a positive impact on the team or organization that was consistent with what is expected for this role/level.

I'm not advocating that the language is perfect (Valued Performer), but I thought it might be helpful to understand that it MEANS you meet and and may have exceed expectations. You have a positive impact on the company. These are good things.

With respect.

D

Sad but true. Some big egos at the top have caused Enbridge’s decline.

When I accepted that this company is no longer top tier, and no longer has any intention of being so, it got easier for me. It’s not a place to build a career, just a stopping place to get some experience. Don’t take it so seriously.

It’s still hard to accept the mean-spiritedness that has festered within the company over the last couple years.

It’s all relative. I’ve worked at far worse companies. I haven’t been here that long, so I believe the Issue for many of you is that you miss the way Enbridge was. Although i’m envious I didn’t experience that, I can say for sure that some companies are much worse than Enbridge is now.

It’s because of fear. It shuts us down. Safer to keep your mouth shut.

Observation: Even leaders that I thought were quite good two or three years ago have deteriorated to the point where they are now spineless yes men and women.

They’ve lost their independence under the current regime. I can’t even think of a good leader at Enbridge anymore, even at the lower levels. And the company used to be filled with them.

He definitely shows narcissistic tendencies, but I’m not sure he’s at the point where he would require medication. Perhaps, though.

He needs a big fat spolumbo sausage in his mouth

Is it possible that Al has a personality disorder? Does anyone know if he’s seeking treatment?

It’s not just AM. You should see the way the ELT and VPs agree with him. He doesn’t tolerate independent thinking.

Al is endeavouring to motivate enough employees to leave so he doesn’t have to lay them off and pay severance.

The employees who are left will be those who are just happy to have a job and, therefore, will do anything, and those who have the particular skills and knowledge for which Al is willing to pay the big bucks.

A real SOB.

Ain't over yet. Wait until you see the STIP crumbs we now get to throw your way. E=Valued. Bahaahaaa!!

Al Monaco could write a really informative book on how to demotivate employees. He has perfected the art.

Not to worry, there are lots of “valued” employees in Calgary, too. Finding out my value this week has stripped me of what little motivation I had left to work hard. If you’re going to rate 65% or employees as average, then expect average work. Can’t wait until the economy recovers, so I can get out of here and find a job with a company focuses its energy on running a successful business, instead of continually finding new ways to disengage its employees. I used to love working at Enbridge, but the last three years have been unbearable. I’m done.

Used to really like this place. Now I can guarantee I will have a job and be out of here within 2-3 months because I now see what many others have known, no future with this once great company. Sort of op question, any one know a high performer in the WO office or are we all valued?

So, 70 percent of ENB’s employees are considered by the company to be average, expendable and easily replaceable (“valued,” in their words, but “not really valued” based on their ratings, STIP and promotion potential).

What happens when the company has a bit of a problem, say, a spill? It will have to rely on mostly average employees to clean things up. Isn’t that kind of risky? You’d think you’d only want top performers who know what they’re doing on the job.

ELT has lost a sense of decency. Their objective seems to be pulling the wool over employees’ eyes. Not working guys (and girl). Just eats away at trust even further. Is that really what you want?

I’d like to see one of the exceptional or high performing individuals do what I do in a day. Then they might truly value me.

As one of the “valued,” I know they think I’m an idiot, but really, if they wanted morons who are OK with the BS they are heaping on is, why didn’t they just hire true morons from the start?

My intelligence and integrity are now being insulted daily. Didn’t used to be this way. They seem bound and determined to rip this company apart. Congratulations to them. They’ve succeeded.

Are ENB’s VPs and ELT members automatically considered to be exceptional or high performers? By virtue of their position?

So if only 5% of Enbridge’s employees are exceptional and only 25% are high performers, are the rest merely expendable? Like, they don’t care if those employees are here or not because they are so replaceable?

From what I can tell, you have to have certain high-level or difficult-to-find skills or knowledge to be even considered “exceptional” or a “high performer.”

If you don’t have those skills or that knowledge, you simply can’t be in the top 30%, no matter what you do or how hard you work.

Bain must have told ELT that, if you pay 30% of employees what they are worth to keep them happy, that will keep them from leaving and keep the critical parts of the company stable.

As someone else pointed out, that gives everyone else no incentive to go above and beyond, aside from their own intrinsic motivation, which is all that really matters anyway.

Makes me think about taking my intrinsic motivation to a company that truly knows the meaning of the word “value.”

This place is insulting.

Interesting how Enbridge’s powers-that-be turned something positive, that is, “being valued,” into something negative — tantamount to “being mediocre.”

A euphemism if ever there was one. Actually really insulting to 65 percent of us. Can mess with your feelings of self worth if you let it.

"Valued" = me now doing the bare minimum. Not worth busting your a-- to do more and work harder to get the same rating as someone who did practically nothing. Thanks for motivating me even more to find a new job