August 2025

Employee sentiment in the energy industry, particularly for oil and gas, is marked by a deep-seated apprehension. Discussions on social media professional forums reveal a sense of uncertainty and anxiety over job security due to ongoing layoffs and company-wide restructuring efforts. While there is an acknowledgment that the pay can be a significant draw, a recent posts highlight the emotional toll of working away from family, a common reality in the field. This sentiment is often balanced by a feeling that the high pay is a necessary trade-off for the demanding and often unstable nature of the work.

The energy sector's employment landscape shows a mixed picture. According to the Energy Workforce & Technology Council, the energy services sector experienced a slight decline in employment in July, losing 1,852 positions, reflecting a minor re-calibration. This comes amidst a broader cooling of the U.S. labor market. However, there are significant shifts in the types of jobs being created and eliminated. A major news item in the last month was BP's announcement of an expanded round of layoffs, with plans to cut up to 6,200 office jobs as part of a cost-cutting reset. Notably, this restructuring is accompanied by a strategic pivot away from renewables to focus on traditional oil and gas production, a move that could shape employment trends in the coming months.