I wanted to wait until the majority of outcomes for the project teams were realized There were three scopes, utilities, Poly X 2 and the Craker unit. Each scope had about 15 ish project people from engineering and ops. We, yes I am one of them, were encouraged to apply for the run and maintain jobs, very few of us were accepted, mainly because we were needed in the roles we had (so they said). The project group dr-g the EPC's (Engineering, procurement and construction) and their JV's (joint ventures) across the line to the bitter end. And it's still not 100%, won't be for a while. We lived in various parts of the world for 2 years or more, unaccompanied, yes there were one offs but it was not the norm. The majority of those eligible for retirement were told to pack their bags, which feels illegal on the age front. That went for CPChem people and most of the Chevron people embedded on the engineering side. A couple were given straight up pink slips, and the rest of ops and engineers were given jobs far from their home with no relocation package or a minimal one. Even when their job field had a role closer to home that was actively listed in the job portal. Some were given jobs they had 10-15 years ago, a demotion. And some were given jobs at GTPP, as lateral moves. Great outcome for people who sacrificed several years for the company. Right!? I worked more weekends and holidays than I ever did in a running plant.
My advice, if you are close to service years, never do a project, they will drop you afterwards, if you think you will get promoted or elevated in some way on a project, you won't. It is not a path to career success, as the corporate group sells projects to be. Another part that is ugly is that the ones told to retire aren't eligible for medical coverage because they aren't of age yet, but they had 20-30 years with the company, imagine that, if you were in their shoes. Or imagine being an 84 for last 10 years and come out the end of a 5-year project still an 84 and doing a job you did 15 years ago, working for a person you trained!
I will be moving on, 2 week notice is coming, kind of hoping HR wants to do an exit interview, that will be un, it won't matter, but it will be fun.
Long story short, never trust this company to take care of you, never do a project, which I hope they can never afford again, and always be looking for the next step, you don't have to stay in the cog machine.
5 replies (most recent on top)
@10f There is so much great talent leaving the company. Very telling.
OP is accurate. They hired mostly outside folks, in a comparatively lower levels, to fill run and maintain positions. Many CPC direct hires on the project got shafted with jobs below their current paygrade, at sites from which they did not originate, or outright let go. I believe it is a part of the larger strategy to drive lower grade levels and wages consummate with a commodity producer. (And not the spawn of 2 oil majors.) Couple that with nebulous 'realignment' and the 'Elevate Talent Management' garbage and you've turned CPChem into a 2nd tier player...at best. Never join a mega in CPChem.
@nm, thank you hr, noted, but its the internet and we live in America. This is more proof of how the company works. Thank you for helping me show how people are treated.
I don't know who you will give your two weeks notice to, but it isn't this forum. And as they say, "This is not an airport, you don't need to announce your departure".
Good post. I also got used and abused in a big project before with no promotion. That is the nature of the business. And the sad part is that CPC will be happy for you to leave right now. Years ago when I realized they will pay you just enough for you to comeback every monday I responded by working just enough for them not to fire me. Only 40 hr a week and no outside of working hours BS. Ever since then I have gradually found a purpose in my outside of work life. Think twice before committing to these projects.