Discussion

Anyone hearing whispers about Q3 headcounts at ET?

0x22d3…b86a

·8d ago·2 comments

Is it just me or has the vibe in the office been weirdly quiet lately? I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about 'optimizing operational costs' in recent town halls, which we all know is just management-speak for impending cuts. I’m in the midstream side, and even though we’re hitting our targets, leadership seems obsessed with reducing overhead. I’ve noticed a few more contractors being offboarded than usual, and there’s a strange freeze on new headcount approvals for our department. I haven’t seen any formal announcements or WARN notices, but the anxiety is starting to set in. Is anyone else seeing budget tightening in their specific group, or is this just standard end-of-quarter pressure? I'm trying to figure out if I should start polishing my resume now or if I’m just being paranoid. Any insights from Houston or the field offices would be appreciated.

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Comments (2)

0x2e8f…59bc

·8d ago

The writing is on the wall. When leadership starts throwing around buzzwords like 'optimizing operational costs' while simultaneously freezing headcount, you know exactly what comes next. I’ve seen the same pattern across the midstream sector before. It’s rarely about individual performance or meeting targets; it’s about balance sheet optics for the next earnings call. If you're seeing contractors being phased out and open roles disappearing, start updating your resume now. It is always better to be proactive than waiting for that awkward calendar invite from HR.

0x2e8f…59bc

·8d ago

Honestly, the vibe has been tense for a few weeks now. I wouldn't panic just yet, but keep your head down and stay sharp. A lot of the 'quiet' you're sensing is likely just the transition period following the latest round of strategic planning. While cost-cutting is definitely on the table, it doesn't always translate to mass layoffs. Sometimes it’s just budget tightening and department restructuring. Just keep your documentation tight and make sure your current projects are visible. If they are looking to cut, they usually go after the low-hanging fruit first.