HOT TOPIC: I’M MIKE DAVIS AND I’M A KNOWN SON-OF-A-B ****

The late ‘Tiger’ was a Texas oilman who had the reputation of being the world’s grumpiest boss. His memos to staff are classics, mainly because they are so incorrigibly rude.this week, this Letter of Note, from Tiger Mike to his employees, is for all thos

MEMORANDUM DATE: January 12, 1978 TO: All monthly salaried personnel FROM: Edward Mike Davis IN CASE anyone does not know who owns Tiger Oil Company or Tiger Drilling Co Inc, it is me – Edward Mike Davis. Do not let anyone think they are the owner but me.

This memo is not intended towards all employees, but all must be included because some have abused these things. The ones who have not abused any of my rules and regulations should not have their feelings hurt or be concerned. Just do your job!

A purchase order system will be initiated immediately. Only certain people will be allowed to sign. More than likely, two signatures will be required, whether it be one from the field and one from the office, or two from the office and two from the field.

Only business calls will be made and charged to Tiger Oil or Tiger Drilling. No personal calls. Period.

There will be no liquor of any kind kept in any of the offices, other than by direct order of Mike Davis. That means get it out of there!

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. I expect things to be clean and in order. That goes for all employees everywhere – that means the office and your appearance; rig-hands included.

We do not pay starvation wages, and there are some people left in this world who want to work. I am not fond of hippies, long-hairs, dope fiends or alcoholics. I suggest each and every person in a supervisory category (from driller up to me) eliminate these people.

I don’t want any excuses about not being able to find anyone to work on rigs, drive trucks, or work in the yards – just find the people you need, and if we have to pay more money to get them, it will balance out in the end.

Anyone who lets their hair grow below their ears to where I can’t see their ears means they don’t wash. If they don’t wash, they stink, and if they stink, I don’t want the son-of-a-b **** around me.

Any truck driver or employee who ruins a piece of equipment due to negligence or abuse will be terminated immediately by his boss, and if the boss doesn’t do this, then the boss will be terminated by Mike Davis.

Each driver will inspect his truck for loose bolts, nuts, corrosive battery cables, water leaks, oil leaks, tires, etc. throughout the truck. If a minor repair can be fixed, fine; if not, notify Duane Brown or Fred Addison, and they will get it fixed immediately. Everything will be inspected as in the army.

Each truck driver will either sleep in his truck or get a room for at least six hours sleep per each 24 hours, and not be found in a bar drinking anything, and that includes beer.

You want to drink, then drink on your own time and your own money and not mine.

Truck drivers will be given one day a week off, to be scheduled by their superior. Anyone found popping pills to stay awake will be discharged immediately.

If you need to sleep, go to bed. I have personally found truck drivers drinking in motels. I will not tolerate any drinking. You want to drink – drink on your day off. You will be watched and monitored wherever you drive.

No one will ride in our vehicles other than company employees. An exception to this is if anyone is in an accident or stranded, a driver may pick him up.

What I am trying to say is no hitch-hikers or free rides for family or non-employees. They will be terminated if caught.

Excessive speed while driving that would endanger the truck, the driver or other people is prohibited. The driver should be the one to make that decision.

All scraps of metal, nails, pieces of pipe etc will be picked up and not left lying around in the yard. I want to see someone bend over other than me.

No one welds with a welding machine unless he knows what he is doing.

Any time a driver goes anywhere and is waiting on something, after they have had their sleep, they will work in the yard or do something that has to be done. They will check with the boss in that area. They will not lie in a motel room, drinking and watching television.

All drivers are to be cautioned about the loads they are hauling so they don’t tear the bridges down or ruin what they are hauling.

Any employee who does not want to adhere to the items mentioned above can quit. If any of you think I will go out of business because I can’t hire help, get out, and I will hire the people to do the work. I don’t need a job – you people are the ones who need to get with it.

There is one thing that differentiates me from my employees. I am a known sonof-a-b **** , and I care to remain that way. I have the privilege of swearing publicly, in front of anyone, or doing anything I want to because I pay the bills.

When you work for me, you don’t have that privilege. You are representing me. Don’t act as I do. I am the only one who can act that way.

You are all to be respectful to your fellow employees and people we do business with.

That may be deemed any way you want to take it, but those are my orders, and I intend to enforce them.

What you do in your home is your own business, but what you do in my business is my business. I am not a preacher and I am not trying to save the world. I just intend to run my business the way I want to.

EDWARD MIKE DAVIS