And If You See Something, Say Something See Pages 2 and 3
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September 2, 2020 Vol. LXXV, No. 34 a weekly Saudi Aramco publication for employees citizenship, charity, and ‘Pathway’ to engagement screen time: Ithra launches at summer’s end, why not in this giving back is in our DNA from course to real life 2020 Saudi Film Festival visit historic al-Hasa oasis issue Aramco has a long history of giving Employee engagement doesn’t occur The screening portion of the event From Al Fakhria Palace to the Al back in the communities in which it by accident; it takes work. And a will be virtual, allowing for 24-hour Ja’alaniah Mosque to the expansive operates, promoting a vibrant society new nine-month program that mixes access to this year’s 25 films via the rice plantations, the oasis of al-Hasa where people are afforded class work and actual work Saudi Film Festival’s YouTube channel. provides a bounty of surprises for opportunities to prosper. experiences is showing big results. visitors. see pages 6 and 7 see page 5 see page 9 see page 8 welcome back and stay safe and if you see something, say something see pages 2 and 3 (Photos: Ding, Hassan AlMubarak, Ahmad El Itani, Hatim Oweida, Musleh Khathami) With restrictions now lifted ... we must not become complacent in controlling COVID-. Do Your Part by Wearing a Mask in Public maintain physical distancing of meters at all times September 2, 2020 the arabian sun 2 company news return with safety Let’s all protect ourselves and each other. Each employee plays a critical role in the company’s commitment to safeguard our people and operations. Please help protect yourself and your colleagues by reviewing and utilizing these critical resources. Changes-at-the- New Habits for Email Signature Workplace Video Safe Living E-guide Prevention Graphics aramco.com/covid 87-COVID (013 872 6843) Corporate Communication Department the arabian sun September 2, 2020 company news 3 employees eager to return to routines cast welcome back close eye on safety Aramco has always taken the proper pro- 75% of the work force expected to be in cedures and steps to ensure the safety and offices and work places Kingdomwide — efficiency of their operations and employ- another step toward the new normal. ees. Regardless, whether employees were The global pandemic has affected every- working from home or working at the of- one, with almost every company and place fice, taking the necessary precautions col- of work adapting to new requirements, lectively has helped us reach to where we much of which has been having employees are today. work remotely. For much of the late spring The Arabian Sun talked to a few of the and summer, all but essential employees — returning employees, to capture their those whose presence is critical for business thoughts and feelings about returning to continuity — were included in a work from the office. home policy. Over that time, the work environment has shifted significantly to ensure both smooth operations and that the safety of employees is being considered. Gradually, As employees companywide return to work, and successfully, we have shifted toward a they are reminded to follow proper safety procedures such as wearing a mask at all times “new normal.” and maintaining physical distance, as well as Starting this week, the company wel- conducting meetings virtually when possible. comed back many employees, with now (Photo: Moayed Al Qattan/MPD) Shahad A. Al Turki expressed her excitement In five-and-a-half Bashaer O. Bazuhair about returning to work after working remotely. months of working said that she was “When I was sent home on March 22, I from home, Sunil worried and ner- immediately started working,” she said, noting P. Dalal had every- vous about work- that she was initially afraid of being quaran- thing he needed ing from home at tined — “just like everyone else.” to be produc- first. Being with the company over the past tive. As far as “I was think- two-and-a-half-years, she worried that a new his job duties, it ing, ‘How is this lifestyle and pace of work would be difficult to seemed little had going to work adjust to, especially not being able to physically changed. So when out? It is going meet colleagues and participate in face-to-face he returned to work to be strange,” she meetings. Even not being able to go out to this week, it was a bit said with a laugh. lunch with friends during the break proved of surprise that the work- Contrary to what she concerning. place wasn’t how he remembered it. first believed, though, working from home felt good, Like all Aramcons, though, Al Turki showed “Now that I’m back, I can see things have changed. especially when Bazuhair considered the prospect of resilience in the face of great change and But it’s all based on the company’s core value of safe- being exposed to the virus as numbers continued to adjusted to working from home, remaining ty. They encourage physical distancing. Our desks are rise across the Kingdom. productive while learning new ways to commu- set at safe distances from each other. We use Skype Instead, it was when she first returned to work last nicate with supervisors and colleagues virtually. for meetings to avoid gathering in conference rooms. month that felt somewhat alien to her. “It felt strange Still, returning this week has also gone And in our group, we have moved to a paperless of- not being able to socialize with my colleagues like smoothly. fice. Rather than printing and handing out paper re- before,” Bazuhair said. “The office was quiet in the “Even though it feels like a drastic change, it ports, which can spread the infection person to per- beginning. is still nice to get back to a regular work son, we send each other files electronically,” Dalal Now, though, as the majority of employees are routine,” she said. said. back at work in the department — many that nev- And with new company procedures in place “For us, it’s really a sign that Aramco has taken pre- er left as they were necessary to maintain business to impede the spread of the virus, Al Turki has cautions for our safety. So I feel confident about what continuity — she says it’s good to see them back and enthusiastically embraced the practice of the company has done for us to be safe in the work- committed to practicing physical distancing. physical distancing, wearing a face mask at all place,” he added. There are plenty of hand sanitizer stations for em- times, and washing and disinfecting her hands Dalal said he understood the absolute need to take ployees to use throughout the department,” Bazuhair regularly. COVID-19 seriously, and he’s grateful that the compa- noted. “And of course, everyone is wearing masks. “While there are no big physical gatherings, it ny has been consistent with its messaging so employ- “I believe this pandemic taught us to be prepared is comforting to know everyone is following the ees know what is required. in case we have to deal with something similar in the necessary precautions to protect themselves “It’s important that we maintain the same practices future,” she added. and those around them,” she added. we have learned over the past five-and-a-half months, Bashaer O. Bazuhair, now that we are returning to the office,” he noted. Shahad A. Al Turki, business system analyst with the Downstream Planning and Performance Management Department accounting staff analyst with the Sunil P. Dalal, Financial Accounting Department financial analyst in the Financial Risk Management Department Karam S. Yateem has been adjusting Center, and I can see the precautionary “Initially, this was used solely for our gradually to working in the office. When measures being taken to continue learn- team meetings, but it then led to the dis- his city was placed on lockdown, he ing and education in a safe environment,” covery that virtual meeting tools can con- worked from home. And when the lock- Yateem said. nect us more broadly across the compa- down was lifted, he performed his duties “As a company, we are following the in- ny. We have been working on innovation with a mixture of working from home and struction of our medical service providers, projects with a Central Province Depart- office — with the majority associated with as well as complying with all Ministry of ment of the Downstream Business Line, the latter. Health requirements. In our department, and Skype has given us the opportunity to And now as he is joined by more people we have taken courses with Johns Hop- expand our viewpoint. We would not have in the office, he can see the importance kins Aramco Healthcare to deepen our thought it feasible until we started utiliz- of the precautionary measures that have awareness on how to stay safe,” he said, ing these tools,” Yateem said. been into place, making him comfortable adding that this kind of information has Karam S. Yateem, with the return to work. been very useful to share among families group leader for Operational Excellence, “The return of people being present at and society in general. Health, Safety and Environment in the Northern the office is happening throughout the Probably the biggest challenge for Ya- Area Production Engineering Department company. This week, I am taking a course teem was adapting to the use of Skype for at the Upstream Professional Development Business and conducting virtual meetings. September 2, 2020 the arabian sun 4 company news Aramco in the news Aramco says Aramco CEO sees oil $75 billion dividend demand picking up pledge on track as it as lockdowns ease eyes oil bounce CTO: Aramco shares Aramco reorganizes F1’s objective of downstream advancing engine business with new and vehicle operating model technology your voice proudly leading the way in making a positive impact on people and communities Since its foundation in 1933, Aram- through an array of programs that help family members from 16 to 25 years of co has acted as an inspiring example of young generations develop new kinds age and created a platform to encourage community empowerment and social of skills.