Penn West Exploration (formerly Penn West Energy) Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Penn West Exploration (formerly Penn West Energy) as an intern for less than a year

Pros – Lots of opportunity to learn.

Cons – A little behind the industry for internship contract time-wise.

Former Employee – worked at Penn West Exploration (formerly Penn West Energy) full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Most co-workers are friendly and helpful, contributing to a fun working atmosphere most of the time. Salaries are comparable to the industry norm.

Cons – Very disfunctional management where the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.
Many great employees have either been fired or quit do to unfair management practices. I would not recommend working for this company.

Advice to Senior Management – You can't keep chasing the good employees away if you want to survive. PennWest's image isn't a good as you think.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Penn West Exploration (formerly Penn West Energy)

Pros – Penn West is certainly one of the best companies to work for. Turnover in this company is known to be low.

Highlights:
• Penn West is one of the larger O&G - E&P companies of over 2000 employees. As a bigger company with deeper pockets, employees get to utilize more available company resources and more formal professional development opportunities related to the role.
• Generally a more relaxed atmosphere and company culture, which I believe enhances overall employee morale. Many managers are approachable when employees have questions to ask.
• Business casual dress code on usual days. Casual dress such as jeans are allowed on Fridays in most cases.
• Salary increases on an annual basis consisting of a salary review. To ensure competitive salary within the O&G - E&P industry, the company gathers data from the Mercer Compensation Surveys.
• Company paid holidays for both statutory and civic holidays. As well, office employees are provided with pay for flex days, an office closure during Stampede Parade, a half day off of your choice to participate in a stampede event, office closure between Christmas and New Years, and four office closure days to extend the statutory and civic holidays during the long weekends in the summer.
• Company provided Activity Day during the summer for office employees to enjoy a day away from work to participate in company sponsored activities or sports.
• Core work hours are from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. However, if suited for the role and the needs of the company, the manager may also provide their employees with some flexible work hours.
• Vacation entitlement based on age. This may be an advantage or disadvantage to certain experienced employees. Temporary employees paid by wages, such as summer/co-op students or certain contractors, receive 6% vacation pay or an equivalent of 3 weeks vacation prorated to their work term.
• Voluntary social club membership to obtain discounts to various designated events and network with other fellow employees.
• Health Care Benefits for full-time employees begin when an employee starts working. There is no waiting period for employees to receive medical or dental health benefit coverage.

Cons – • It appears that the stock prices in the company have been going in a significantly downward trend during the recent years. It is rather worrisome as employees wonder how well the company will perform in the future.
• In comparison to other companies in the industry, there does not appear to be compressed work week options available at this time to allow for every other Friday off. However, the number of competitive benefits that are available to employees overall outweigh the negatives.
• As the company continues to grow larger, it starts to become more procedure and process-oriented. However, this can actually also be an advantage when it comes to best practices on getting things done and making sound decisions.

Advice to Senior Management – Continue to keep up with the great work and culture. If you were to participate in competing for the annual Canada's Top 100 Employers list, I believe you will certainly make it on the list. I hope employees will continue to be strongly valued and considered as an asset to the company.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Penn West Exploration (formerly Penn West Energy) as an intern for more than a year

Pros – Penn West highly values it's Summer Students and allows them to contribute on meaningful projects. I've worked in two different departments and they each have a positive attitude towards students. The company gives first preference to those that have previously worked for Penn West. The culture is great. Managers are laid back and allow employees to solve problems on their own. Most employees (senior of junior) are approachable if students have questions. Everyone is happy to work here.

Other great things:
- Gym in the building
- Social club
- Great office location
- Competitive pay
- 4 day weekends in the summer. Field trips, lunch and learns, etc.

Cons – Some companies in Calgary have Fridays off in the summer or every other Friday off. Penn West does not offer this. Over the last several years, the company has grown exponentially and the culture is transforming a little as well. The company has less of a small company feel than it did in the past. Can't hold this against them too much since major growth for the company leads to more work for employees.

The stock price has gone down significantly in the last 12-18 months.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep valuing summer students. Expand the GRP program to other departments. Overall, Penn West is a great place to work as a student.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Penn West Exploration (formerly Penn West Energy)

Pros – Training was excellent and easy to understand, busy,fast paced yet always had time to sit back and enjoy co-workers company, lots of employee perks, great benefits, amazing co-workers, great management

Cons – Because of fluctuations of the oil and gas industry, many times there are lay offs and hiring freezes to prevent movement within the company. So sad to see great co-workers having to pack up their stuff to leave. Wish there was a way to keep all the good people.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep up the great work. Even though I was part of your lay offs when times got a little tough, it was a pleasure to work for such a great company. Always consider calling past employees if you have a position available again to see if they would like to come back to old or new positions. It would be easier to bring back an experienced employee than to have to go through training again. I am sure many people would love to come back especially if the reason for leaving was because of slow times.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Penn West Exploration (formerly Penn West Energy)

Pros – - Very friendly and open atmosphere. Senior Management are very friendly and approachable
- Mid-sized company, but has a very small feel to it
- Nice downtown office! Good location
- Gym inside the building!
- Competitive pay & benefits

Cons – - There doesn't seem to be any international opportunities, company is solely based in Canada
- Might not be easy to transfer from department to department

Advice to Senior Management – Even if PennWest does continue to grow and reach the size of Husky & Talisman and the others..don't lose the atmosphere! Keep hiring summer students

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend