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WorkforceGlossary Term

Remote Loading

A payroll method where crew wages are loaded directly onto pay cards or accounts without physical cheques. Common on remote sites where workers have no bank access. Subcontractors must confirm platform compatibility with their payroll systems before mobilisation.

Related Terms

Hydraulic Fracturing Crew

Workforce

A specialised team deployed to pump high-pressure fluid into a wellbore to stimulate production. For subcontractors, these crews are typically mobilised on short-term contracts tied to a frac campaign schedule. Crew size, certifications, and equipment requirements are usually dictated by the operating company or prime contractor.

Spare Capacity

Workforce

The portion of a subcontractor's available workforce, equipment, or service hours that is not currently committed to active contracts, representing untapped revenue potential that can be offered to clients on short notice or used to absorb surge demand without turning down work.

Labour Burden Rate

Workforce

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.

SJT (Situational Judgment Test)

Workforce

A pre-hire assessment used to evaluate how candidates respond to realistic workplace scenarios. Operators and prime contractors use SJTs to screen field workers for safety judgement and decision-making. Subcontractors may encounter these tests when onboarding crews for client-managed worksites.

Geofencing

Workforce

A virtual boundary set around a job site that triggers automatic alerts when workers or equipment enter or leave. Subcontractors use it to verify on-site attendance, automate timekeeping, and support accurate billing. It also helps clients confirm crew deployment without manual check-ins.

Utilization Rate

Workforce

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.

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