WorleyParsons, an Australian provider of technical, project and operational support services, has reported it will lay off more than 2000 employees.
The company announced expected non-recurring redundancy and onerous lease charges and an increase in general project provisions to the 2015 financial year earnings totalling $125 million (before tax) following a review of current exposures.
According to the press release, the company has experienced deterioration in workload since February as a result of the sustained weakness in commodity prices. WorleyParsons notes that this is particularly the case in North America and has impacted chargeability and margins.
“WorleyParsons is taking further action to adjust its business to market conditions. It includes an expected reduction in employee numbers of more than 2000 and associated onerous lease costs,” the press release reads.
Group outlook
The company says that the management is continuing to balance the long term sustainability of the business with the need to adjust operations by reducing costs. The benefits of this will flow through to the 2016 financial year and are estimated to deliver future annualized savings of AUD 75 to AUD 100 million.
Taking into account the impact of these charges and provisions the company now expects statutory earnings for the second half to be approximately 50% of the first half of the 2015 financial year.