Have Your Say

Exxon Mobil has been having trouble with workers developing stress issues on its offshore oil rigs. The men are on a 28 day on,28 day off, 12 hour on, 12 hour off, 7 days a week roster. As the shifts roll on and fatigue and stress sets in,they have started to take it out on each other leading to arguments and bitter in fighting among themselves, some have been turning to drinking excess alcohol. The Senior managers at ExxonMobil believe the problems could lead to safety issues so have hired an Industrial Physcological Consultant to investigate the issues and see if he can remedy the situation.
The initial investigations findings are that although the amenities for rest, relaxation and socialising on the oil rigs are of a very high standard, because of the tight confines of an oil rig, the men don’t really have time to be by themselves to pursue their own hobbies to relax, this is causing the friction among them , leading to fights and excess drinking.What he suggests is that if the men were to bring an item with them to keep themselves occupied and amused in their off time, it could de- escalate the situation causing less problems.
HR is informed of this and at the next Preliminary Induction interviews for employees of the Oil Rigs, begins to implement the new stress management strategy.
An American, an Englishman and an Irishman have applied for the available positions, HR does the initial induction, but asks the men to return in one week, bringing with them an item that will enable them to pursue a hobby on the Oil Rig.
A week has elapsed, the American is the first called into the HR office, carrying his Golf Bag
After greetings, the HR guy says “A set of golf clubs?”
“Sure” says the American.”I’ll hit them off the side of the rig, should improve my drive no end, I have 2000 balls in my suitcase.”
“Well done” says the HR man, dismissing the American and calling in the Englishman who has a laptop computer with him.
“A laptop I see” says Mr HR.
“Indeed” says the English gent.” I intend to catch up with friends and family e- mails, surf the internet, play video games, watch YouTube and study online to become a petroleum chemist.”
“Outstanding” says the HR man , this time beckoning the Irishman on his exit.
“Well Paddy” says the HR man, “ What item have you brought with you to pursue a hobby on the oil rig”. Paddy reaches into his bag and places a packet of tampons on the table
“A packet of tampons” says the HR guy incredulously.
Paddy lifts the packet and reads from the back.
“ It’s say’s here you can bicycle, ride a motorbike, scuba dive and swim with these”, says Paddy