Most Oil Workers Say Managers Seem Stressed

Fifty-six percent of oil and gas workers reported that their direct managers seem stressed in O.C. Tanner’s 2023 Global Culture Report.

The study revealed that 61 percent of managers within the oil and gas industry reported that their responsibilities have increased since Covid and found that 31 percent are finding it more difficult to stay positive at work. New responsibilities and expectations placed on managers over the past few years have resulted in many succumbing to stress and burnout, according to the report.

The report highlighted that the main managerial tasks taking up more time since Covid are training and mentoring, with 54 percent of oil and gas managers reporting an increase. This was followed by performance and evaluation tasks, with 49 percent reporting an increase, and management meetings, with 46 percent reporting an increase, the report showed.

Despite the additional tasks, a fifth of oil and gas managers admit that they are finding it more difficult to receive support from senior leaders, according to the report.

“This increase in workload for managers is negatively impacting their wellbeing and engagement, as well as overall company culture” Robert Ordever, the European MD of O.C. Tanner, said in a company statement.

“They are expected to do far more but with the same if not fewer resources, and eventually something has to give and it’s all too often their mental health,” he added.

“Managers are stretched far too thinly these days, with mentoring and meetings occupying more time than ever before. Leaders must recognize this and find ways to ease their burden,” Ordever continued.

The O.C. Tanner MD noted that managers need support and recognition just as much as any employee.

“This must be given regularly and authentically, with appreciation integrated into everyday culture so that it flows in all directions,” he said.

“Managers will then feel part of a caring workplace community in which their contributions are continually seen and valued,” he added.

The report recognized that it may not be possible for an organization to ease every managers’ workload but outlined that managers can be provided with a robust support network where they can seek advice, ask for help and share best practice.

Rigzone has asked the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) for comment on O.C. Tanner’s findings. At the time of writing, the IOGP has not yet responded to Rigzone’s request.

O.C. Tanner’s report collected and analyzed the perspectives of over 36,000 employees, leaders, HR practitioners, and business executives from 20 countries around the world, including 186 from the oil and gas industry.

As of March 29, 9.19am CEST, there have been 761.4 million confirmed cases of Covid-19, with 6.8 million deaths, according to the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO). As of April 2, a total of 13.3 billion vaccine doses have been administered globally, the latest WHO data shows.

Europe has seen the most confirmed Covid cases at 274.5 million, followed by the Western Pacific, with 201.7 million, the Americas, with 191.4 million, South East Asia, with 60.7 million, the Eastern Mediterranean, with 23.2 million, and Africa, with 9.5 million, according to the latest WHO figures.

To contact the author, email andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com