Thread regarding Saudi Aramco layoffs

Ouch. Sounds like this kind of exposure messes up people’s heads too. I’m mindful that one can’t act normally in this environment and that it can only lead to “doing as the romans do”…which must lead to the inevitable unemployable/ adjustment issues when returning to a proper job.

No one is doing the job they were hired to do.

It’s all about counting the cash as someone said below.

The camp is boring. I wouldn’t go there now.

Some excellent feedback you have here. I could have written your post years ago.

Let me tell you that I was in your shoes and did end up resigning after saving 200k.. I was late thirties and fed up of the games, incompetent bi--hy people and the lack of western mentality/methods. It was exhausting being around people ready to throw you under a bus at any moment. I was miserable!

As excited as I was - coming home proved a struggle. Inflation is eating through savings. My country is not the country I once knew. The biggest shock is the poverty I see here (I am in the west). It’s also hard to make friends and start over at this age. Clearly I have changed too. I have regretted my decision and often wondered what other opportunities that sliding doors moment would have brought had I not made the decision to leave. Management didn’t ask why. Another shock.

Like you I had no meaningful work and was constantly worrying about being let go. Being in that age bracket there was a lot to lose. Manager also got a kick out of holding off leave approvals until the week before. It was very very stressful with a family in tow. I now have a wonderful team and brilliant manager. I do not miss those awful people in aramco. Just resent the high taxes I’m paying now. I’m still exhausted but with good reason.

Moral of the story - you will regret either decision. I know though I sound like I would do anything to go back - the thought of it also makes me sick because of all that I know. Welcome to the world of the gaslighted.

If you are on your late 30s then it is indeed a dilemma. You can still have a good career back home. May have been a poor decision to go there but you can still make it worthwhile by trying to survive for another 1 to 2 years or until they lay you off. Continue cashing out those checks, take your repat at the start of the year and limit your expenses. If you can walk out of there with at least $200K in your pocket, then it's all worth it. You can still go back to restart your career back home with that extra cash in the bank.

Most things have been covered, but I will add one more. Your job is NOT secure. The fact that you are doing F all makes it easy to get rid of you at the first sign of trouble. Sadly, Aramco does very little for itself these days and it's really just show business.

@jut+1mAXcTxQ

Unfortunately I’m late 30s and this place feels like where someone comes to stagnate, might work for someone who wants to coast or if they have no career back home. Absolutely agree can see the value if I were 15 years older also. I’m amazed people bring kids into this environment, but everyone is different.

The money I’m on here is better than home for now, but not exceptional, and I’m certain in a 2 years it won’t be worth staying just for $. The opportunity cost is too great, I’m missing out life back home, and it seems from others that the expat experience at Aramco is only going downhill.

Back in 2013, I had the same concerns and it lasted about a year. I remember my first expat leave and taking my first ever 4 week vacation. I seriously wondered if they would realize how little I did and if I still had a job when I returned. Thankfully, my group was very tight knit and welcomed me back with open arms. I spent my first day back with Saudi's rolling in and out of my office welcoming me back and asking me about what we did. BTW, a trip to Bali was my first big vacation with Aramco. So, sit back and enjoy the ride with Aramco. You'll get bored doing the sh-t work (or nothing at all) but eventually your boss will throw more at you or Aramco will roll out some new initiative and your boss will give it to you to implement/run because he doesn't want to deal with it. Just remember, you are the expat and you are there to do the things the Saudi's don't want to do. Having said all that.....you are there now and enjoy the good, the bad and the aweful of Saudi and your co-workers. I was glad to leave, but have to admit I miss some aspects of the lifestyle and the monthly apology letter (paycheck). And yes, you will become/are institutionalized - you are already there without realizing it. Lastly, this website is full of most of the warnings of Aramco/Saudi. While the warnings shouldn't be ignored, it doesn't mean that you can't embrace them, accept them and learn to live/appreciate them. Make the most of your adventure......and use ALL of your PTO every year

Yes, you are right, you will become institutionalized and likely unable to fit in with any other company. Of course, the danger of this increases with increase of time spent at mother A. But as someone once said to me, "200k for making copies isn't bad".

Understand early on that you are nothing but a mule. Most of us may have been "gods gift" pre-Aramco and felt we were hired to infuse all our experiences and talents to make a difference. Suddenly you find yourself writing emails for somebody or take the odd meeting minutes. If you are a young buck, then sorry you've made a bad decision going there. Get out as soon as possible.

Now if you are on the tail end of your career, like I was, then live with these two words "F%$k it". I watched my bank account grow, swallowed my ego and just kept on going until I can afford to retire and never have to work a day in my life.