Our Insights from the AMMA 2015 Resource People National Conference

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Today at the AMMA 2015 Resource People National Conference the miningoilandgasjobs.com HR spokesperson Laura Gunnis was interviewed on a range of matters associated with the current state of the mining oil and gas industries and the way in which companies had managed the transformation from the previous high commodity cycle.

Laura Gunnis made the following insightful comments:

1. Changes that need to be made in the corporate structure resulting from a commodity price downturn can affect employee jobs both in conditions of work and rates of pay. In these situations keep your employees informed by way of face to face discussion. Even if that means travelling to remote locations. Although employees may not like the news the company will have a far better chance of gaining acceptance of the required changes

2. As a corporate leader don’t expect employees to do something that would wouldn’t do yourself. So if they are taking a haircut on their pay conditions then make sure the entire organisation takes one including yourself

3. Tell them the break even so that they understand if the commodity price drops below a certain level then changes will need to be made.

4. If reductions are required do this by way of keeping the jobs but offering less hours per job instead of eliminating jobs altogether.

5. Ask for employees ideas on cost saving initiatives. Talk to contractors as they know business better than company management in many instances.

6. If you are seeking to keep irreplaceable employees do this by way of a pay freeze instead of a pay cut as you still have to compete in the greater job marketplace.

7.  It is always better to stay agile so develop flexibility into your organisation.

• For more industry insights head to our blog post section in our Careers and Industry Guide.