I agree that it’s unfortunate that Chevron is in this downturn. I also agree that senior leaders have made large mistakes (I.e. project overruns, bad portfolio purchases, etc). But I’m pleased to see urgent action being taken right now. Yes it’s scary for all employees not knowing the future of employment. We all own out destiny. If you don’t like Chevron, get out now. It’s negative employees like you chevron needs to get rid of. Bye bye !!!! For those that are in, let’s go and run a new lean Chevron !!!!!!
18 replies (most recent on top)
On a positive note, Chevron is not alone in this downturn; we’re in a very cyclical industry.
Perhaps this downturn is an opportunity to get some new assets at low prices? Chevron has the financial / technical weight to do so. Hopefully, CVX mgmt has the cojones to make some good plays.
Also, recent decision to NOT pay a huge premium for Anadarko was very good. CVX let Oxy overpay and got a $1 Billion breakup fee. Easiest $1 Billion that CVX ever earned.
Yes, that is correct, Chevron does pay top percentile salaries, higher than most, that is a fact, as much as it hurts to former employees who were laid off. For those of us that left other companies and found greener pastures here it’s been a great experience.
The J&J sessions were pointless. You’ll get more useful information from all the low level management leakers that are on the periphery of the transformation efforts.
Companies have to do what they have to do survive and stay RELEVANT for their investors. Unfortunately, there are lot's of redundancies in the company and Mr. Joe's job is to find them and eliminate them for good to position the company for the future. It is really that simple. The problem that I see is that nowadays it seems more important to deliver likes and thumbs up in WP than delivering results and added value for the company. All of a sudden, Chevron is full of celebrities (wannabes) that do business between themselves with very little bottom line substance. These reorganizations find a way of sobering people up and bring them to basics. So Yeah, scale down the likes and the virtual s— up and deliver results, you have 6 months!!!, hopefully it is not too late. And if you find yourself out of Chevron, be prepared to compete, it is really a jungle out there. #Darwin101
Negative?
Just wait until after this upcoming reorg/right-sizing/down-sizing/transformation(ha ha!)
Once it’s all over, upper management will give themselves larger raises and enhanced LTI’s for having “managed through such tough times”
Y’all should’ve gotten out (of CVX) when you had a chance. Lots of evidence of Stockholm Syndrome (or replies from Chevron HR) in many posts.
Chevron is easy money.
Chevron does not pay top percentile salaries, that is a fact, as much as it hurts to current employees. For those of us that left and found greener pastures elsewhere it’s been a great change. Nowadays people are more concerned about mastering taking selfies and posting them in WP than really getting into the ropes and mastering your trade.
If anything Chevron overpays relative to competitors. These fantasy posts are higher salaries are mostly trolling from laid-off losers who haven't worked since 2016. Don't fall for it.
Why do people who leave Chevron for another job always claim that their total monetary compensation has increased by 40%? No one here believes that unless that person was severely underpaid to begin with. Total nonsense.
The HR department is feisty today.
Lots of truth in your post.
Lots of granularity in mgmt ranks at Chevron; some locations/organizations are good, some not so good. My experience was that Chevron has a much higher % of a*hle incompetent managers/TL’s (Empty Suits) than many of their competitors.
One thing I learned is that many Chevron managers are accomplished liars. IMHO, they view it as being a mgmt skill.
I started with Chevron in 1983 and “retired” in 2008 (25 years) when a promised (and overdue) promotion was stopped because the GM of the area wanted to promote his buddy instead.
Was best thing that ever happened to me, as I started looking for another job right away and got 4 offers within a month, all for doing the same type of job and all for 40%+ increase in total compensation. Haven’t regretted it a day since. My life has been much improved (personally, technically, economically) and now I’m enjoying a well-deserved retirement.
Apparently, I was treated by Chevron that way because I was on a list of “Chevron lifers” who were expected to stay no matter how we were treated. When I gave my notice, it sent local mgmt into a tizzy fit. I simply used their counter-offer to get a better offer on the open market.
Despite many pockets (infected abscesses?) of bad mgmt, Chevron - over the course of my 25 year career - did allow me the opportunities to keep my skills at a high level in key technical areas. Although I had to fight for it. And other companies paid me much more than CVX for my SME skills.
Takeaways:
Find a good supervisor, if you can
Work hard (and smart) to meet goals you set
Have a good training plan and follow it!
Keep your resume updated every 6 months
If mgmt starts telling you lies, get out ASAP, on your terms
Best to get out to a new organization when the industry is on an upswing (mostly lucky timing on that for me) but can work in any environment
Negativity is because of lack of accountability, hypocrisy and dishonesty.
1 if the corporation screws up in execution and management , i.e. cost over runs in Tengiz of the order of 10 billion dollars, be a man to openly communicate it internally and hold people accountable.
- When it comes for evaluation or townhall, do not dance around key questions and deliver BS or bring Microsoft CEO to give nonsense talk and then cheer about it, stop this BS and get to answer hard questions and set up an example for honesty and integrity and commitment to people
- Life is tough we all get it, do not make it harder if you cannot make it easier, being an a....hole would not get you any recognition beyond those who love to kiss you a...s.
@nxw+13xTkeNB One strategy that usually works (not always but usually) is to out perform those around you; on your team, in your group etc. Get your work done on time, with high quality and discuss the results with your customers to get feedback and keep them happy. If the people who use your work product are well satisfied with your deliverables, your supervisor will often try to keep you because you get the work done effectively. A couple of good traits are if you don't need to be managed closely and you don't cause them headaches. If so you will likely be one of the last few to be cut. You may not be the favorite, get the fastest promotions, or get the best reviews/rankings but you will likely stay employed. Chevron needs people who know their role and get the job done well. Just one perspective among many but after 15 years I am still here and outperforming many of the popular crowd who run in clicks, gossip with all the cool kids and sweet talk the supervisors. Succeed quietly toward your own goals and do your part to help our company succeed as well. We need all the people like you we can get and we need to keep them. Lastly, now it is more important then ever to be positive in mind and spirit. Let others see you in the office with a good attitude and busy getting your job done. Hold fast to your ambition and have faith in the outcome. Appearances matter in times of trouble, so does dependability. Be steady, be strong, Good luck.
@nxw, You’ve been with Chevron for 10 years, obviously doing a good job in the eyes of your superiors. Keep that winning streak going. What may or may not happen to you in this downturn won’t be in your total control. Try to ignore the negativity as much as possible and continue doing the best job you can. Often times, the most successful employees are those who persevere through adversity.
If you’re not happy, you need to find a new place to work ....
Keep drinking the Kool Aid. After repeated let downs it's effects lessen
@OP+13xTkeNB, I'm usually a positive person. I really am. I've been with Chevron over 10 years now, and I been through a couple ROM'S. This isn't my first Rodeo. But this time it is different
I won't say I am a superstar, I'm an above average employee who usually gets 2+'s every year, and I realize there are downturns in markets, especially oil and gas, I get that.
But the last couple years has been really discouraging, I've busted my butt, made huge sacrifices for both me and my family. I relocated them across the country all at the recommendations of CVX management. Now I feel like it was all for naught. The raises haven't been what I thought they would be, or what CVX lead me to believe they would be. However, they always tell me how awesome I am doing.
There has been an obvious mood change at work. It is almost like everything is so secretive right now. Everyone preaches about being open and transparent, but it is not, at least it is not where I am working right now. You ask direct questions and they just tell you what they think you want to hear. It is getting to the point that I am starting to get p-ss-d off. You know something is happening by the way everyone starts treating you and starting to distance themselves from you.
Have I been told I am getting laid off? No, but feel it.
This is my livelihood, if I am not doing something right, tell me, don't rank me high, then tell me I am doing good and then ignore me. Don't go hide in your office and then when confronted act like everything is peachy.
I agree with you. I’m all in ! Let’s go Chevron !