Thread regarding Chevron Corp. layoffs

"on your own merit, not on your age" means that if a younger person can do the same job, for less money, and doesn't mind doing it, then they keep the younger one and get rid of the older one. Either catch up with the changes, or move along. We have Drafting on the PC now, since the 90's. (approx.) Does that mean we had to keep all the old farts who did board drafting and refused or couldn't learn ACAD(which was many), or else be sued for age discrimination? Pay part of a staff who contributed virtually nothing? Think about it.

I agree with the OP. I believe that everyone should be rewarded/given positions on their own merit, not on their age. The idea that everyone is a victim of some kind of discrimination is ludicrous and should not be allowed. There is always some category that you can conceive of that you fall into that would make you subject to discrimination. It's a game of and for losers. If you were successful in the first place you would not be in a position to have to play the victim. And if you were successful and so overly competent as most discrimination victims claim, you will have no problem finding further employment, so your argument is self-defeating. The laws in the US created for this type of thing are a clown show and part of the everyone gets a trophy progressive mentality. A great nation it does not make.

@nfvf. I disagree with your assertion that it is futile to insult others anonymously online. After all, it got YOU to respond, didn't it?

@Nmwc0fS-nopj, I agree with you 100% on that one point, yet it is a shame that wisdom cannot be taught, for in that case you would have some, and perhaps you would have a clue about "real life" and the futility of insulting others online anonymously! The last two posters were right on point and read you like a cheap dime-store novel that ended up in the trashcan - LOL!

The two previous posters haven't learned enough about real life yet. Yes, the world is filled with so many assh0les, but that only affects you if you let it. Obviously, you haven't grasp the significance of my message. Read it again and if you still think otherwise then live and learn. Wisdom is not taught, it's self learned.

-myrt, So what you are saying is that after 59 years, you have learned that if most everyone else is an A-hole, and treats me like $hit, then I might as well be one too. Sometimes I feel the same way, but I stop and think it through and consider, that's exactly what happened to the guy who was one that I just encountered. What this world DOESN'T need is another A-hole. We already have enough. So I stop and think about that before I make the decision that an A-hole would make or do. I leave those actions for the A-holes and make sure that I do the opposite.

@Nmwc0fS-myrt, Well, you keep on thinking of no one but yourself and I will continue to do the exact opposite, as I have my entire life. I have been completely satisfied and over-abundantly and generously rewarded because of it, in many ways, whether I deserve it or not! To each his/her own.

I take my queue from the teachings and experiences of my adult life, from my government, from what I've seen happen to others I know and those who I've read about. In this country, one has to look out for number 1, and that's YOU. I would not give up my job in the interest of "saving" anyone else's job. Playing the good guy in life will result in you ending up last. That's my view and up to now, 59 years living, I'm doing just great. I'm a considerate person but I do draw my line somewhere. I'm first then I'll see if I can be of help to others next. That's all.

To the poster below, I am another who would give up my job in a heartbeat to a youngster who is struggling, raising a family, etc. Although not particularly wealthy, I am financially independent. I do not need nor want much. I work because I enjoy it and enjoy the daily interactions. However, I did not start enjoying work near as much until after I reached FI and was able to take it or leave it. You young guys/girls need to make those decisions now that prepare you for the future. It's not as hard as you may think to save, budget and plan.

The vitriol is getting pretty high here. I have personally been laid off while other less competent, lazy coworkers kept their jobs and have seen others who were much better than me lose their jobs while I kept mine. Layoffs are often the result of whether a manager personally likes you or not. It often times makes no sense. Age discrimination in tough times is real, just as any other type of discrimination. It gives managers an opportunity to get rid of people for any reason whatsoever. Yes, older employees usually earn more and become a target of opportunity when cutting costs. The main decision I regret is staying in an unstable industry. I have a real passion for earth science and really enjoy working in the oil biz. Hindsight is always 20/20. Those who post here bragging about how great their retirement is, with the nice severance and big pension, or how they left a company that did want them to leave and went back anyway do not represent the majority of posters here. It is easy to spot BS or those who make fun of the less fortunate as losers or deadwood. It is sad that some here find pleasure in the misfortune of others.

Well, it seems that 7igm, 7sri and 8usp may very likely be the same person. Either the 'nice story' is true or it isn't. It is not good form to post on a layoff message board to mock and ridicule others. You are a good example of Chevron Way behavior. Plus, you have no idea of the politics of non-political postings, yet inject name calling political insults. You only cause more laughter at yourself by those who read your nonsense. By the way, I am 8bmx and I paid my own way through college with no loans, did you? I have a 'hard' science degree in geology. I have actually worked in the field with oil well drilling crews, both land and offshore. Have you? I was damn near killed in an oil rig accident that shattered my right arm in several pieces. I spent 2 years in and out if corrective surgery and physical rehab which included bone graft surgery from my hip. I have spent 35 years in this industry and am not a Chevron lifer who is too afraid of change to ever work for another company. I have paid my dues.

7sri, you say your wife works, but both of you were 'begged' to stay? So, you both worked for Chevron and were so extremely exceptional that you were 'begged' to stay but you left anyway and then you both were 'begged' to come back? Or is it that you and wifey work for different companies and both of you left after being 'begged' to stay and only returned to your employer after being 'begged' to return? And now you are semi-retired, but your wife works? I would really like to live in your fantasy world. You must know that no one (zero) believes your story. It makes a nice tale.

To 7igm, are you being serious that you would give up your job in a heartbeat to help a 'struggling' younger employee? How altruistic and noble you are. Did you talk about this with wifey and kids? No, I didn't think so. You need a reality check with yourself. But, it is not too late to prove that you are serious. Just resign today and tell your boss you are doing it to help the younger generation. Tell us all how it goes. We are all breathlessly waiting.

Laughing at you @7igm. Lie to yourself if it makes you feel better.

7isp, I am 62 and found a comparable job, only better, pays more and I work my own hours. Don't get me wrong, I am very sympathetic towards those who work hard and have problems finding gainful employment but in almost all cases it is the consequences of either the persons abilities(or lack thereof) or simple market conditions. it should not be the employer's responsibility to keep people employed when they cannot afford them, at the expense of other employees regardless of age. When does it become discrimination against young people? Ever heard of that???? In most cases, the young people are paid less, but their salaries are more critical to their existence as they are raising families. If they can do the required job, they should be kept first. I would give up my job in a heartbeat to save the life of a hard-working struggling youngster raising a family. That's the difference in me and an ill-fated, older employee who did not make the right decisions in life and/or did not save and prepare properly for their future. You did not have to post three separate posts, 7isp, it could have been written in one. Thanks for reading.

6yau - Just try finding a comparable job like the one you had. After you are 55 years old, you'll know first-hand, that age discrimination is very real everywhere.

To 6yau, if all of these older employees were not good enough to keep on the payroll, then why were they hired and stated employed for so long? Using your logic, this means that Chevron is grossly incompetent in their hiring and review process. I can tell you straight up that age discrimination is real and does exist. Sure, not every single employee over 55 will be laid off. That is too obvious. Your attitude would be much different if you lost your job. You seem to be overly confident and somewhat arrogant in your worth to Chevron.

6yau, it's evident that you don't care to see the truth. You can only help yourself. There is proof that age discrimination took place in the organized layoffs over the last 2 years at Chevron. Many would not or couldn't lodge a claim or suit because they were afraid of the consequences or ramifications. But the language used in severance/waiver papers Chevron presented to laid off employees clearly centered on "Age Discrimination".

I agree with the OP, or whoever wrote the post. I am also an old-timer and have never observed any discrimination against me or any other older worker in my entire career, only the cries of career complainers, which are plentiful. It's alway someone else's fault, to some second class employees. The whole concept is nothing but a money grab for professional victims and lawyers. Be careful. If you are valuable to a company, you will be hired, or kept, at any age. They will beg you to stay. Believe me. It's the simple truth.

I read this already in another thread. You are copying and pasting stuff that other people write. We have seen you do your plagiarism trick many times on this site, OP, Next time write your own post or Scram.