We saw some meetings being switched to virtual just within the past 10 days and now MW is asking us to not travel. Here we go again.
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What is sad is when a CEO tracks TEA and lectures his ELT on the same (fact, some of you have heard the trickle down messaging behind closed doors). MW can’t figure out succession planning over the years, but sure can track TEA……….well, there ya hav it……
What travel cuts? IT leaders are still traveling the world. The actual technical people (whether employees or contractors) are sitting in their cubicle farms doing the work while their leaders are globetrotting at these super fly locations.
I remember once taking a course in Midland when I could have taken the same course in my home city a couple of months later. One thing it did teach me, though, never, ever consider transferring to Midland!
In the good old days people were routinely arrested for lewd behavior or hospitalized with alcohol poisoning while traveling for “training”. It was fun!
@5vcd, that all changed when MW came in. He doesn't believe in training, unless it's OTJ (i.e., free). Rather, he believes in interchangeable parts, once your capabilities are worn out, layoffs, and replacement with more clueless and dewy-eyed college kids.
When I started we were encouraged to get several weeks per year of training of our choosing, often involving travel to sometimes delightful locations. Some people even chose training because of the travel opportunities! If you were more than trained up enough, you could attend thrilling international technical association meetings and travel in style for a week, even internationally.
Then Horizons came along and the new kids were Required to take many weeks of training per year, sometimes requiring weeklong travel to London, Singapore, etc to find the right course. The good old days!
@4nbf, there's now an entire generation of Chevron petrotechs (10 years and less) who have had virtually no training other than JEDI.
What travel cuts generally equate to is cuts in training and technology transfer. One can only neglect staff development for so long until there in no more “human energy” to drive the ship.
@2xzs, ditto. Just put that package on the table, and I'm outta here! The insanity and uncertainty since 2020 have made it hard to be enthused about working for Chevron.
CNE has put a $billion plus opex hole in the budget which needs to be filled.
The 2024 budget is being put together with 15% staff cuts baked in. Managers who plan to meet their target will need to cull at least that much by the end of this year. Happy holiday!
Beware! I've seen this before! First you cut out all the consultants, then cutting travel (and training, but there's no training left to speak of) is just the next step before a layoff round! In the meantime, all the 2024 budgets are being submitted and reviewed right now, that will drive a layoff decision. Once you get Legal and HR in line, think late Spring 2024. Hey, MW and RM, I'm just waiting for a package!
@1zzf The restrooms in Houston are a disaster. No one flushes. Maybe it's a time saving technique not flushing. It also saves water if you keep pilling it in! It's become a huge mess.
Hahaha!
I love when when there is talk about travel cuts, yet the next statement is "oh hey, I am inviting the BOD out to visit legacy PDC operations later this month..." Then EOY PMP happens, and nothing like getting expecting to get work done remotely with a reduced travel budget, while then getting evaluated on field level support or tasks.
@ugz, For office space cost rationalization, Chevron can test pilot a program to remove the office chairs in offices and cubicles and replace them with ergonomic commodes. The employees will remain working more hours at their workstation without needing to spend considerable time in the bathrooms.
@1jgm, Sounds like CTC is a juicy ribeye steak, ready for trimming the fat.
CTC will cut in half in no time
The figures thrown around suggest 80% of the useful CTC workload is already completed by 50% of the staff.
EB is just as bad as MW. It's why she's a shoe in for CEO.
Supposedly EB is the one proposing tech cuts, since it is pretty much her only lever since she presides over cost centre (as opposed to a profit centre).
When does MW go after his favorite target of CTC?
@jru+1oml6vAR: Agreed but really wanted my barbecue!!! Hahahaha
Maybe there should be upper management salary cuts. If we aren't performing well enough the buck stops at the top. They should take salary cuts before more layoffs.
All unnecessary travel should always be reduced to zero. There are other expenses that also need to be curtailed or eliminated.
Sooooo glad I’m gone!
I bet some meetings will be scrapped or switch to Teams given today’s info - bummer was looking forward to Houston barbecue
Meanwhile, leadership jets about the globe in a fleet of Gulfstream 650ERs ($70 million each; $8,000/hr fuel) typically half empty or more.
In the old days at Texaco, the company aircraft calendar was online and employees flying the same route were REQUIRED to fly in the jet rather than commercial to save money and ensure the jet always flew full. And the managers on the jet usually cross-examined the peons sitting in the back during the flight, especially the CEO.
Silly. He doesn’t care about your cost to come into the office.
He cares about rationalizing the cost of our space. It’s all about control.
didn't he mention cutting travel costs by using online meetings? then why isn't he applying the same thought about in office vs WFH?