Horizontal Joint Employment

The total cost of employing a field worker beyond their base wage, expressed as a percentage. It includes CPP (Canada Pension Plan), EI (Employment Insurance), WCB (Workers' Compensation Board) premiums, and benefits. Subcontractors must factor this rate into crew pricing to avoid underbidding contracts.

The percentage of available working hours that crews or equipment are actively billable to a client. A low utilisation rate signals idle resources draining overhead costs. Subcontractors track this metric closely to assess profitability across projects.

The number of field workers supported by each administrative/office employee. A ratio of 10:1 is common for paper-based operations; digitized operations often achieve 30:1 to 40:1.

A business that generates revenue but has no paid employees — typically a sole proprietor or owner-operator. Many field subcontractors and independent tradespeople operate this way. Statistics Canada tracks these firms separately in labour and industry data.

A legal situation where both a subcontractor and a client company share employer responsibilities over a worker. This creates liability risks around benefits, termination, and labour standards if boundaries aren't clearly defined. Subcontractors should maintain clear contracts and independent operating practices to avoid unintended co-employment claims.

A monthly U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics survey tracking payroll employment across industries, including oil and gas and construction. Subcontractors use CES data to benchmark labour market trends and adjust crew hiring strategies. Rising CES numbers in your sector often signal tighter labour pools and upward wage pressure.

When Your Crew's Behaviour Becomes a Business Problem: Managing Field Conduct on Active Subcontracts

What subcontractors are liable for when field personnel create conflict on a GC-managed site, and how to protect your contracts before it becomes a termination issue.

How to Get Your First Oilfield Job: A Practical Guide for Tradespeople and CDL Holders

No oilfield experience? No problem. Learn which certifications, service lines, and job boards actually get tradespeople and CDL holders hired.

From the Field to the Office: What Oilfield Workers Should Know Before Making the Switch

Thinking about moving from field work to an office role? This guide covers how your field experience translates into technical and operations positions, what the transition actually looks like, and the trade-offs most people do not talk about until it is too late.