Vertical Joint Employment

Retaining trained field crews on payroll during slow periods to avoid rehiring and recertifying workers when activity resumes. Common in boom-bust cycles, it protects workforce continuity but strains cash flow. Subcontractors must weigh bench costs against the risk of losing certified tradespeople to competitors.

A monthly U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report tracking job openings, hires, and separations across industries. Field service contractors use it to benchmark labour demand and anticipate competition for skilled tradespeople. Rising JOLTS numbers often signal tighter crew availability and upward pressure on wage rates.

The portion of a project's total budget allocated to labour costs, expressed as a percentage. Subcontractors use it to bid competitively and protect margins. Tracking it against actual labour spend reveals cost overruns early.

A client's long-term plan outlining labour, equipment, and service needs across a project or portfolio. Subcontractors use it to forecast crew deployment and equipment commitments. It helps field service companies align capacity and bids with upcoming work cycles.

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.

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.

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.