Decreased Job Security Without Change in Safety During Hydrocarbon Industry Recession

Abstract

The Norwegian hydrocarbon industry faced a significant challenge between September 2014 and January 2016, when the oil prices dropped from an average of 100 USD to 30 USD per barrel (Statistics Norway, 2016). The severity of the situation was clear by the end of 2014, and the industry implemented several cost-cutting measures. Estimates from the Norwegian government indicate that nearly 1 of 4 employees in the Norwegian hydrocarbon related industries lost their jobs during the period from 2013 to 2016 (Norwegian Ministry of Finance, 2017). The industry is characterized by long-term investments and strong union worker protection. This may have led the recession to affect subcontracted parties in particular, such as workers at on-hire offshore supply vessels. Recessions may lead to fear of lay-offs or being made redundant. Job insecurity reflects an individual's worries about losing their current job (Sverke, Hellgren, & Näswall, 2002). Job insecurity is a subjective perception (De Witte, 2005), which can lead to an uncomfortable feeling and