Anothe Raincoat?
Dec 4, 2020 21:52:06 #
During the oil and drilling boom of the early 1980’s, the biggest problem was finding and keeping competent, qualified employees. This was particularly true when it came to our down hole technology manager. He was already handsomely compensated with us by any standard, but since he had assignments where he was required to travel internationally, it was a constant and continuing headache to keep him.
Since it was my duty to both keep him happy as well as to approve his monthly expense report, I was able to often overlook most of his minor discretions but there was a persistent problem about every two weeks of his report listing among other things the services of a “lady of the evening”.
I had told him that I could not approve this, to put down something else that was less obvious. I knew he was single and unable to travel with a spouse, it was a significant conundrum. I knew he been nearly impossible to replace, I couldn’t afford for him to resign. We finally had reconciled that instead of “lady……..” that he should simply say “London Fog Rain Coat”!
So far, this had worked, until I got a call from my manger, who happened to see this frequent and reoccurring expense on the tech manager’s expense report. I had covered it up for as long as possible. I simply explained it once more, and this time said, “don’t even ask”! In the oil patch, you handle things efficiently and as expediently as possible. This seemed the only way since he would have been impossible to replace! If it is permissible to cover other borderline indiscretions, this would be no different. Just Saying…RJS
Since it was my duty to both keep him happy as well as to approve his monthly expense report, I was able to often overlook most of his minor discretions but there was a persistent problem about every two weeks of his report listing among other things the services of a “lady of the evening”.
I had told him that I could not approve this, to put down something else that was less obvious. I knew he was single and unable to travel with a spouse, it was a significant conundrum. I knew he been nearly impossible to replace, I couldn’t afford for him to resign. We finally had reconciled that instead of “lady……..” that he should simply say “London Fog Rain Coat”!
So far, this had worked, until I got a call from my manger, who happened to see this frequent and reoccurring expense on the tech manager’s expense report. I had covered it up for as long as possible. I simply explained it once more, and this time said, “don’t even ask”! In the oil patch, you handle things efficiently and as expediently as possible. This seemed the only way since he would have been impossible to replace! If it is permissible to cover other borderline indiscretions, this would be no different. Just Saying…RJS
Dec 4, 2020 23:47:11 #
Mauwehu
Loc: Norwalk Ct
Love your stories RJ! But I’m trying to picture a guy in a hole wearing a London Fog raincoat.
Dec 5, 2020 01:25:53 #
You are thinking of the opposite end of the employee specteum. There are men who are in the earl biz Ed who wear hombergs and bespoke suits! Just Sayin...RJ S
Dec 5, 2020 08:32:15 #
Dec 5, 2020 11:22:41 #
Mauwehu
Loc: Norwalk Ct
Maybe but without those guys there would be no work for the guys that do get their hands dirty.
Dec 5, 2020 13:04:56 #
Gentlemen: It takes both. However, most start at the dirty, sweaty end. Even college kids who are majoring in Petroleum Engineering are sent to the field during summers to learn what drilling is all about. Yes, there are also the accountants who drift into the field and some, like withEnron who had absolutely no ethics. Just Sayin...RJS
Dec 5, 2020 17:38:38 #
Mauwehu wrote:
Maybe but without those guys there would be no work for the guys that do get their hands dirty.
Not really. I don’t get my hands dirty for anyone but me. There’s more to life than being an employee for someone else.
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