Within the energy sectors, there are over 65 million people working in it worldwide, including thousands operating offshore. They are dedicated individuals often facing challenging work environments far from home and their closest connections.
This unique lifestyle can have an impact on relationships, so it is important for energy professionals to develop strategies for staying close to their loved ones. In this article, we will explore the unique challenges these consultants face and offer practical insights into how to maintain healthy long-distance relationships.
Challenges Faced by Energy Professionals
At WTS Energy, we conducted a LinkedIn poll on February 2nd to gather insights from energy professionals regarding the challenges they face while working away from home. 647 people have participated in the poll as of 15 February.
The results show that most energy professionals consider having less time to spend with their families as one of their primary challenges. This means energy professionals are working in challenging environments, often far from the comforts of home, and can have a significant impact on personal relationships and connections.
14% of respondents cited excessive travel as a major challenge. This could be attributed to the constant mobility and instability caused by frequent business travel and remote working, which places additional stress on personal and family life. 7% of participants expressed feelings of homesickness, indicating a sense of longing for home when away. This emotional challenge may be associated with feelings of isolation in the work environment and a lack of a familiar support.
Additionally, 9% of professionals noted that being in different time zones than their families and loved ones posed a significant challenge. Even though we can easily make remote video calls nowadays, the different time zones are potentially leading to difficulties in finding suitable times for interaction.
Despite these challenges, energy professionals highlighted several positive aspects of working offshore in the comments. It was great to hear from Dan, Oil and gas product specialist, who is enthusiastic about offshore work and finds it to be a challenging and exciting area. Additionally, Michael believes that some people are just made for global assignments, having worked in 13 countries on four continents. These professionals not only mention the difficulties they face, but also the resilience and positive outlook they maintain. It is great to see how they keep going despite the challenges.
Strategies for Maintaining Strong Connections
Despite the challenges of the energy industry, there are practical strategies that professionals can use to maintain healthy long-distance relationships.
Effective communication by technology
Effective communication is the key to maintaining healthy relationships. Regular check-ins and video calls are essential. While some offshore professionals may have limited time to communicate with their families, it is important to share aspects of your life regularly. For example, daily updates on personal well-being. If time allows, video calls is highly recommended to ensure that distance does not affect the emotional connection between you and your loved ones.
For this point, our consultant Eric shares his experience:
Eric
Despite the distance, I prioritize staying connected with my loved ones through regular video calls, heartfelt messages and sometimes taking a break and going home; this helps us maintain a strong bond and share our lives despite the physical separation.
Going back to your family during the breaks
For professionals who work away from home, vacation is the valuable time to spend with their families. Please make effective use of the time together during breaks. Prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring that the time spent is meaningful and enriching for both parties. Plan activities or outings that contribute to building shared memories and reinforce the bond and connections.
Oluwole
Having to travel and work without seeing your loved ones for a while is quite challenging, but from my experience I’ve come to terms with the fact that I have to provide for my family but also not neglect the place of family, so whenever I’m not working I give all my time to my wife and children and make sure they get the best of me when I’m available.
Plan future reunions with your connections
For energy professionals, planning is not just a personal aspiration but a professional necessity. Make a clear plan for when you will see your lovers next or when the long-distance part will end. Having specific dates to look forward to can bring relief during tough times. This planning makes your relationship more stable, making sure work does not take away from personal connections. Regularly talk with your lovers to align your personal and work plans. This keeps things balanced and optimistic.
Working away from home can be challenging for professionals in the energy industry, impacting their interpersonal relationships and family life. As we enter February, a month associated with love and hope, we wish you find moments of connection and support despite the distances.
