Thread regarding Baker Hughes layoffs

Corporate Houdini Act: The Vanishing Workforce at Baker Hughes Celle

Is Baker Hughes’ Celle facility discreetly downsizing its workforce under the radar? It appears that local management has mastered the fine art of corporate secrecy—quietly orchestrating layoffs while carefully sidestepping unwanted attention from the press and local authorities. Employees seem to be disappearing in droves, yet no trace of their departure remains, as if erasing footprints from freshly fallen snow.

And what about the works council? The supposed guardians of employee welfare? Rather than raising alarm bells, they seem to be playing along in eerie silence, keeping workers blissfully unaware of the looming purge. One might wonder—are they protecting employees, or simply ensuring their own seats remain warm? A classic twist, reminiscent of an old-school movie trailer, where just when you think you know the plot, the real betrayal unfolds.

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| 6583 views | | 41 replies (last September 26) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1jvrm00ey

41 replies (most recent on top)

Update from Celle.
In recent months, there have been no reported changes regarding hidden dismissals. Staffing levels have been very stable, which reinforces my belief that many people are just fueling the rumor mill.
Fortunately, the truth shows the opposite of what is being anonymously claimed here, whatever the case may be. My lifetime is too precious to keep hanging around on this page. Farewell.

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Post ID: @jaj+1jvrm00ey

@24j, no we haven't, we are still here.

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Post ID: @26q+1jvrm00ey

@24y a post about Aberdeen is a must regardless of the topic / conversation. It also usually contains or is followed by important building block like "stupidity or incompetence?", "d-mb iron", "no wonder they lost all work", "the Aberdeen guy had the last laugh" and so on. If you decide to post anything here I am afraid you will have to live with that as there is no stopping to the Aberdonian caparbiety

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Post ID: @26e+1jvrm00ey

I think you will find the post is about Celle, & how the weird & wonderful ways of BH are catching up with the Good People there.
For what it's worth, the issues with BH stem from the very top of the food chain rather than Aberdeen, which some posters still keep thinking is the centre of the company Universe...Bro.

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Post ID: @24y+1jvrm00ey

No surprise aberdeen has no work. they lost it all bro

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Post ID: @24j+1jvrm00ey

@1gc Exactly. Several colleagues are mysteriously disappearing from work without any notification. Maybe this falls under the 30 legal threshold, and local management is pretending to be smart here. But the works council seems to be playing along with them... At the very least, they should have informed employees that something is happening.. It seems like they are either part of the scheme or indirectly benefiting from it..

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Post ID: @1np+1jvrm00ey

Has there been a more incompetent management + sales then Aberdeen drilling dept?

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Post ID: @1jn+1jvrm00ey

@12
An Excellent post that has clearly been thought through, but please can I draw attention the following sentence.
“A social plan only comes into effect if more than 30 employees are affected”.
I do hope this site does not fall victim to 29 employees mysteriously leaving the payroll at regular intervals, Marie Celeste style, as has been the case at many other sites that have similar legislation in their countries
Where there’s a will, Baker’s will find a way around it, German legislation or not.
Good luck my Friends.

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Post ID: @1gc+1jvrm00ey

Maybe you feel guilty or you feel the toxic posts are aimed at you.

Your perception is your own and no one else is responsible for your feelings but you.

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Post ID: @1fd+1jvrm00ey

It's refreshing to see intelligent, quality posts on this German thread and not the usual toxic comments you find on other threads.

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Post ID: @1e5+1jvrm00ey

Looking at all the executive linkedin posts you would think they are doing gods work

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Post ID: @1cg+1jvrm00ey

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kruegersven_celle-lowersaxony-wearebakerhughes-activity-7329403708805427200-Cxh5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAG3HM8BAVekVA-yHXJlIcjY0LlggaBxbrI

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/greig-russell-65033645_wearebakerhughes-innovation-geothermal-activity-7328230934296555520-XiGm?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAG3HM8BAVekVA-yHXJlIcjY0LlggaBxbrI

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lorenzo-simonelli_wearebakerhughes-bakerhughes-geothermal-activity-7331343085676687360-DQyR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAG3HM8BAVekVA-yHXJlIcjY0LlggaBxbrI

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Post ID: @1cf+1jvrm00ey

@12v According to the explanation below, 29 employees can be dismissed per month while bypassing the current legal framework. Over a year, this amounts to 348 employees (29 × 12). Given a total workforce of 1300, that means 348 employees could technically be let go discreetly;framed as 'voluntary'. This accounts for an attrition rate exceeding 26%. This validates previously pointed out concern that management planning to reduce the workforce by 25–30% under the radar! Or am I misunderstanding the situation?

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Post ID: @17f+1jvrm00ey

@OP Crude theory But who can guarantee that it is not a feint by management or the press to put works councils in a bad light? Just a thought but the more I think about it 🧐…

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Post ID: @12w+1jvrm00ey

@OP It seems that some people in this forum are not very familiar with the German legal system. So, I will try to explain it as it was explained to me today by a trusted works council member. This topic really interests me.

In Germany, there is freedom of contract. This means that companies can offer severance agreements, but employees are not obligated to accept them. The employment agency usually treats such agreements the same way as voluntary resignations. The works council has little say in this process, even though some people might wish otherwise. In large corporations, this is a common practice.
If Baker Hughes in Celle plans to lay off 30 employees within 30 days, the company must file a mass dismissal notification with the Federal Employment Agency. This is a legal requirement.
The works council must be informed about every termination. If a dismissal occurs without the works council’s knowledge, it is invalid.
As of now, there are no discussions or negotiations about a social plan.
The works council in Germany has strong rights, but sometimes its hands are tied. A social plan only comes into effect if more than 30 employees are affected.
Every employee has the right to bring a works council member to personnel meetings. It is highly recommended, and from what I have heard, this is actually happening.
Works council members are not appointed by the company or "born" into the role. On the contrary, they are elected by their colleagues every four years, and anyone can run for election.
The works council must hold a company meeting every three months. In Celle, this happens regularly. During these meetings, information about dismissals, new hires, and severance agreements is communicated transparently. Questions are answered, and the details are published on the internal website. I have checked this and can confirm it—employees of Baker Hughes can look up this information themselves. The next company meeting should take place soon, so attending it would be a good way to get a clearer picture.
Works councils are in close contact with lawyers, trade unions, and experts to protect employees' interests—at the expense of management 😉. At least, that was the case with the last social plan. Trade union members can also seek information from their union, in this case, IG Metall.
Overall, this situation seems to be based on rumors rather than solid evidence. Of course, no one can predict the future. However, it is the management’s responsibility to ensure transparency, and unfortunately, it looks like the wrong people are being blamed.

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Post ID: @12v+1jvrm00ey

@x4 I'm not using the same words as you. From your tone, I get the impression that you might be from the workers' council or someone close to them. My question is, do you have any data to prove otherwise? If so, can you share it on this platform?

That said, I doubt you will—nobody seeks justice online. Justice is served in real courts, where these matters are properly addressed. Hope to see you there..

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Post ID: @xd+1jvrm00ey

@wn So nothing but lies that you spread anonymously, it's a real shame how honorable people are slandered here for whatever reason. Unfortunately you don't seem to have any facts either, hence my conclusion that you are a slanderer and liar...

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Post ID: @x4+1jvrm00ey

@sb I trust in the legal system and its process. This anonymous platform is not a court, and law and order are in place to handle such matters. There's no need for me to present facts and figures here—the courts will decide, and I have faith in that system..

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Post ID: @wn+1jvrm00ey

really crass statement. can you back it up with facts. how many people were made redundant?
It sounds more like character as----------n to me. the unions are regularly on the road at this site.
However, some facts would be important to get an overview... As far as I know, the workforce is relatively stable at over 1300 employees. As far as I know, other sites have made extreme cuts and unfortunately many colleagues have been made redundant, which is probably much easier elsewhere without protection. .... I don't believe that. the many good works agreements for the benefit of colleagues and also the last social plans speak more in favor of the works council.
Please point out a few facts

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Post ID: @sb+1jvrm00ey

I like nothing better than going around backstabbing my buddies to keep my job.

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Post ID: @jd+1jvrm00ey

@bd+1jvrm00ey
There has been a not so secret long term vision for some time, but no stable strategy.
I’ve seen firsthand myself how the strategies...if you can call them that…literally change by the month, & how huge amounts of money are spent on game plans that become redundant the following quarter as the next ‘In Thing’ is tried by the players of the next (all too frequent) management reshuffles.
Unfortunately, long term visions will never become a reality if they are supervised by people with the attention span of a gold fish, living in their own gold fish bowls.

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Post ID: @fb+1jvrm00ey

According to insider info, further reductions are in the pipeline... Management and workers councils are trying to keep under the table.. As someone already mentioned, this time 'salami slicing' is the strategy, allowing layoffs to remain under the radar. Some managers have informed their teams and advised them to prepare, while others are either playing it smart or pretending to be..

Over the next few quarters, 20–25% of the workforce will be made redundant, with the intent to avoid severance pay. Despite BH,s financial records indicating stability, middle managers have been tasked with firing employees under the guise of performance issues or alleged mistakes. However, that’s not the reality. Even employees with 12+ years at Baker are being let go under similar reasons, jeopardizing tools, services, and field operations…

Those who are aware of the situation have already started looking elsewhere while using Baker as an interim platform in the process..

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Post ID: @ea+1jvrm00ey

What do you all think about baby-managers (also known as middle managers)? How long can they survive before being replaced by an Excel automation AI tool? To be frank, I don’t see any core technical competency developing in any BH facilities. All Baker seems to care about now is cutting costs—cheaping out, reducing expenses—essentially following a Stellantis-style approach. And we all know what’s happening at Stellantis!..

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Post ID: @e8+1jvrm00ey

I didn’t mention BH drill bits because no one buys that cr-p anymore.

Everyone buys Halliburton for offshore and generic mom and pop bit shops for land.

Bits and casing haven’t had market share in decades.

Weatherford, tennaris franks- casing

Again BH CEO doesn’t visit the rig . How’s he supposed to align with workforce values. Every OIM executive visits the boat and it’s not even theirs, it’s the drillers vessel.

BH CEO is selling BH real estate

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Post ID: @e7+1jvrm00ey

Aberdeen drilling dept incompetence was cause of drill bit manufacture failure. Study the facts.

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Post ID: @dy+1jvrm00ey

Generic field service like running down hole tools is getting outsourced to Angola period.

Outsourcing purchasing to India and AI

Engineering reductions, replacing quality employees with mechanical engineers from product and services. These guys will support everything global especially Mideast.

No more tools going to NAM shops for overhaul. New from UK /Angola.
Onboard tool consumables replacement.
Any scrap components are considered throw away.

Warehouse/logistics totally outsourced and replaced with AI. No more human demand planning interface. No more BH warehouse in NAM or UK , logistics company will store and ship.

All machine outsourced Vietnam / Mideast

All vendor sourced receiving inspection is obsolete. Cheaper to buy one extra and have vendor manage RTV etc.

No more software engineering, pay Meta for all software development, semi conductor purchase radio shack.

Outsourcing everything except

Directors and VPs will manage spreadsheets with two or three helpers. No more multilevel org chart.

Don’t believe me, stay a bit longer your package will come when you’re expensive enough to matter and you’re trying to pay to feed your families.

Where’s the CEO? Not in your machine shops or Rig visits. He’s a suite.

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Post ID: @d9+1jvrm00ey

What is the latest on the layoffs? How many? Which departments?

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Post ID: @ck+1jvrm00ey

Ah, so you got out of the trench—everything good up there, bro? Happy for you. Stay strong 💪

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Post ID: @ce+1jvrm00ey

I’m not at BH anymore.

Read my post and think about it.

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Post ID: @cb+1jvrm00ey

Celle is wrapped up in politics, language gatekeepers, Hindus, and 'big boys'—what a spectacle! No surprise if CTC ends up drained sooner rather than later. But hey, no need to stress—we’ve got Volkswagen! We can always head there, right?

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Post ID: @ca+1jvrm00ey

Oh look, the Language Gatekeeper has arrived! 'Hindu'—what do you mean by that, Mr. Ignorant? So, according to you, everyone who speaks English is 'Hindu,' and English itself is the 'Hindu' language? 😂😂😂😅

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Post ID: @c9+1jvrm00ey

Wish Celle paid more attention why their drill bit manufacturing closed down and who was responsible.

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Post ID: @c8+1jvrm00ey

No wonder the company went downhill.

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Post ID: @c5+1jvrm00ey

My body language lets people know I don’t F about, and not playing petty games.

That’s why they play behind my back , which is fine by me.

Got me where I am.

I’m with the big boys and girls now.

I dictate what happens to people and I’m straight up about it.

No cowards or backstabbers allowed!

I’m the man.

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Post ID: @bv+1jvrm00ey

The trick is to be smarter than your opponent where they become the loser. It’s more satisfying when they don’t know about it.

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Post ID: @br+1jvrm00ey

Everyone I know at flex either got someone written up/fired or lied for a friend to get someone else fired.

Played games to get someone fired.

Or you are just that cheap.
At least you got a title.

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Post ID: @bm+1jvrm00ey

My point is, I’m not complaining that Baker Hughes is firing employees—it's known for this, and anyone who joins should acknowledge that reality. What surprises me, though, is how the local managers think they’re being clever by quietly firing people while parading around like smart clowns in town halls. Even worse, the workers' council seems to support this nonsense..

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Post ID: @bh+1jvrm00ey

@b6+1jvrm00ey
Why do you think they set up the Councils in the first place?
I will give you a clue - it was never about the Workers.

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Post ID: @be+1jvrm00ey

BH agreed on timeline to migrate manufacturing to Africa, Asia, central, and South America. Supporting services for Mideast, Africa, Nsea, Australia and giana from UK. The shrinking US drilling market will be served from Houston. This allows oilfield Cos to avoid tariffs maintaining slave wages for manufacturing in 3rd world while northern hemisphere management controls the IP and contracts.

Montrose was just stepping stone to Africa subsea manufacturing running tools. Same thing happening in USA, Norway.

Supplies are being moved to Veracruz to support Gianna and GOM.

Recently Mideast receiving machine shops that weee closed in USA.

You can’t believe BH would build new site to close within 2 to 3 years. If it’s north of equator you better believe it!

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Post ID: @bd+1jvrm00ey

I wonder what the so-called workers' council is up to these days—probably nothing at all. They have a responsibility to inform their members, but perhaps secrecy is their new strategy. After all, it’s called a workers' council for a reason… Looks like they’ve perfected the art of being the local management’s rubber stamp! Honestly, they might as well dissolve it altogether. What a spectacularly pointless use of resources in the name of a ‘workers' council.’

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Post ID: @b6+1jvrm00ey

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