Much to be desired. - Field Engineer SLB Employee Review

1.0
Nov 10, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The starting pay is good, and at first it seems like the schedule is awesome, but you'll soon learn that everything changes once you sign on the line. They preach a set way to be promoted and that if you are motivated you will move up quickly. However this depends mostly on management, and if you have a bad manager good luck progressing. There is also the illusion of traveling everywhere, and while some do, most won't leave their home county, even if you express desire to get ahead, and travel. Many interns and new people don't experience the downsides and are only shown the good side.

Cons

Most locations are crappy. Maybe 1% of the locations are nice places you actually would want to live. Most managers move up because they were friends with past managers, leaving you with someone who doesn't know anything, and has no compassion when you have a sick relative or need to take vacation. You accumulate a set amount of vacation and it is use it or lose it, but regularly you are not allowed to take vacation when you need it. After 2 years working there I personally have used 5 vacation days. I plan vacation then all of a sudden I am needed and there goes my plans. Family is not possible, there is no work/life balance even though they promote that it is important. Other service companies pay more and treat you better. There is no job security, and most feel like they can be fired at any moment. I regularly work over 100 hours a week and if you calculate the pay to be hourly you are actually getting around $12ish an hour. I personally have had many ups and downs with the company. When it is good it is great, and when it is bad, you feel like you are living a nightmare.

Explore other reviews about SLB

5.0
Apr 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

benefits, vacation, 401k, I love working for SLB

Cons

I wish they had a better way of promoting.

1.0
Jun 17, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good people at the local level. The work is engaging and challenging.

Cons

Too many to count. Career advancements are extremely limited. Pay raises are minimal and don't get close to keeping up with inflation even for top performers. At the corporate level they are using acquisitions to hide massive layoffs. They return billions in profit to investors consistently, but there is still a constant threat of layoffs and multiyear freezes on pay raises even with inflation and solid corporate profit.

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