My emotions have been all over the place this last month. I’ll be in round 4 and I learned a couple weeks ago through the new org charts my position is being eliminated. Ugh!
Yeah, I can apply to 4 other positions, but really, what are my chances? Trying to apply for a job I have never done before and competing with someone who is just applying for their own job and already has the experience they need for their own job. I’ve been a nervous wreck! I have been at the same PSG level for 4 years (PSG 22) now and starting to feel stagnant and a little discouraged, defeated even though I have not gone through the exercise yet.
As the only provider in my home I have a wife and kids depending on me and I have been staying awake at night praying for the best outcome.
Then, last night as I sat there, I got the wild idea to just EOI and start my own thing, become self-employed. I am in my 40’s now and the thought of “starting over” is scary but the more I have thought about it, the better I have felt about it. In fact, the idea now excites me. Yes, it will be hard, but if I’m not progressing where I am now, there is no better time than now. I will have a nice little severance to lean on during the difficult start up period and likely become better off than trying to deal with the difficult Chevron headaches I must deal with now.
Why am I telling you all this, a bunch of strangers on the layoff? I do not know. Maybe a little self-therapy. But I am sure I am not the only one feeling this right now. So, for those of you who are feeling the same as me, consider the EOI. Why stay if you are not reaching your potential, really! You just might find yourself in a better position to progress yourself and in the end be better because of it.
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@gfd+1720HD5b That's what they told me first time with reorg and Lay-offs and the two years later it happened again and now two years later here it is again...seems more routine and more likely to add extra gray hairs so if you are marketable take Chevron EOI and get out while you can
Hi OP, same sentiments here. After the new R4 positions list and new SharePoint/PowerBI page, my selections have gone out the window. Some positions are still within range, others out of the range, and some are just take some because "it's a job" until I find something externally. After talking to various job owners, they are surprised of my BU experiences, reputable background and certifications and yet....they are all like "why is your PSG low"... Welp, guess makes me feel good when no one is willing to understand that no supervisor has supported me in PSG bumps. Now, those decisions and lack of supervisor support is coming to bite me.
Guess my strategy is apply for my own, plus three more, prepare for worst, get EOI/severance and leave for sunny pastures.
Between myself and my wife, we are dual career and unfortunately unable to move due to personal circumstances.
I agree with many of the comments below but right now I would apply for the four jobs and continue to develop a business plan for your business. The toughest part is the cost of health insurance and taxes when you are in business for yourself but don't hesitate. Having said this, now is a rough time for any business unless you have something in mind that is immune to virus or even virus friendly but you might be a bit late to that party.
@1oex, why do you disparage non-working or low-earning spouses? My wife doesn’t work outside the house in the traditional man’s role. I don’t mind her choice in staying home. She contributes a lot of value to me and our marriage. With my salary and investments alone, we managed to own a nice home in the Houston suburbs that is paid for. We together have managed to sock away well over $2MM as well.
@1oex You post may not be popular, but it’s brutal honesty is one of the best messages I have read on this site.
My advice to you - hang in there with CVX, apply for the 4 "lateral" jobs, and try your best to stay employed during these disastrous Covid times.
The economical environment to start your own business is now EXTREMELY difficult, unless you have a highly unique service or skill to offer. As the sole breadwinner for your family you need to be careful before jumping the relative security of the CVX ship.
I left (i.e. took EOI) CVX in 2010, was lucky enough to find decent contract work until 2019, but then I've been unemployed (and income less) for the last 20 months. This 2020 is a beast for job seekers and the self employed.
I'm taking EOI, financially it's fine, am fortunate, I will probably end up leaving California, depends on how the housing market plays out next year and head north out of the drought zone. All those heading to Vegas and the south west, really bad decisions. Migration to water, wetter north is the way to go imho , if you can't see this you are really not getting the big picture , get in before house prices start really going up in those areas. Hey the Canadians might need to build a wall. If you live in Houston get out now new before a CAT5 Hurricane hits and destroys the city and the oil infrastructure its only a question of time now. Those who stays with Chevron make sure to keep no more than 10% of your ESIP in company stock. if you do and get laid of could be double jeopardy like Enron. if this years hurricanes, wild fires and pandemic hasn't convinced you then. keep sticking your head in the sand . we may have another 2or 3 survivable years weather wise but after that ... God help us
Stick with it and apply for your 4 jobs. If your left standing you already see new opportunities: That is always a good thing. That said a transition into anything will be a bit easier in a year or two when the rest of the economy gets back to normal. Don’t make life harder than is has to be.
A non-working spouse isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I should know, I also have one. No doubt, it is nice to have the dual income, but it also isn’t the focus of our family.
My wife is a educated lady, a 4 year college graduate and has the ability to make good $. She just chose not to work while our kids are young. She is very dedicated to them and I support that.
It’s just the way we chose to do it. No regrets here.
Good luck man! I’m sure you’ll do fine in whatever you do.
PSG 24 with 15 yrs experience. Will EOI, the company is giving you a leaving bonus that is among the most generous in all IOC (perhaps second to BP's 4 weeks/ service yr). Freedom and time is priceless, if you had discipline to save $$$ during the boom years and not giving into lifestyle inflation, then this would not be an issue. Also, why do people end up choosing non working or low-earning spouses?!?! Pick a high quality spouse who earns alot and this would
be a non-issue.
A job with health care, adequate to good pay, pension and 401K match is a good problem to have. Stay, apply for the 4 positions. You'll either stay employed at CVX or get a severance (your EOI). making your decision either way will result in you reclaiming a sense of control over your future.
Take care & stay health!
Don't buy into that thinking that post-Transformation work at Chevron will be very stressful.
Having gone through a number of these downsizings, it does weigh on you, but then you move past this difficult time. If you decide to stay (I know a big, big IF), know that work at Chevron will continue and the next "right sizing" is years away. Stay focused on what "floats your boat" (family, satisfying work-life balance, decent colleagues, good wage, Company match on your stock plan contribution and a fully funded pension ? )
Good luck to you — no matter what you decide is best for you
On good days it feels like a opportunity to try something new at chevron. On bad days I feel like I’m just staring at positions to trade one bowl of sh!t for different bowl of sh!t. :)
I feel the same way, it’s a stressful situation. I saw one post here not so long ago from a former Chevroid recruiting to work for Netflix. Maybe you could reach out to him and apply for a job there in addition to R4?
Good points @hsy. I appreciate your rationale and consideration of the pros and cons. I don’t know how many years of service you’ve put in until now and how long you need to remain employed to fulfill your financial goals before retiring, but despite the gloomy outlook for those who remain at Chevron, you still don’t actually know how the outlook will be. I definitely think there will be a heavier workload on everyone, but I’d invite that. Keeping busy is enjoyable if you’re an organized individual. My strongest reason to stay employed at Chevron is the pension plan and second is the current 401k match. While the 401k match may change, I believe the pension is something worth staying for. Almost no corporation paying a good salary has a pension plan. It’s the pension that makes all the difference in the world. I strongly urge you to not EOI and continue working for Chevron.
No, you are definitely not the only one. I have been agonizing over the same choice. Losing sleep; calculating a variety of paths, strategies for my four picks etc. Plotting my exit if I am left standing. Strongly considering EOI. I was all over the map.
I am very concerned about what the next year will be like for those who stay. More stress; heavier workloads, reduced benefits (its coming), more internal social engineering, diversity agenda being pushed, mandatory vaccinations, who knows what comes next year? It most definitely will not be back to normal; it will be a "new normal" from upon high. The rule will be; agree with leadership or be gone.
A few good things about EOI is there is a degree of certainty, you can make your own decisions. You can decide if you want to get another job or be self-employed. Rest assured the next year will be very rough in general; things could get wild out there. Be prepared to ride out the storm for a good long while. If you don't have enough saved to go without income for a year or so, then put your 4 selections in; the economy is going to be anyone's guess in 2021. If you put your 4 picks in and let Chevron decide your fate; you will at least know you tried and did all you could to stay employed. If you EOI; you might second guess yourself whether it was the right thing to do.
Corporate employment is basically serving the overlords no matter the corporation you work for. The only question is, are you willing to continue to serve in exchange for what they offer? It provides much financially but also comes at a considerable price. I will EOI. I decided to act and regain more power over my own life. So long folks. Best of luck.
OP, You can apply to 4 positions but you ask what are your chances? Tens of thousands of individuals play the Lotto and Scratch-off games every week. The odds are long, but that doesn’t deter them. So, my advise is to apply to the 4 jobs you know you can do and wait to see if you win. The worse that can happen is you get left standing and lose your job. But at least you didn’t give up and volunteer to leave. You’ll get your severance package all the same. Good luck to you and everyone else in this predicament.
I wish you the best and sometimes what seems bad now can turn into something better. I get it and even though it is tough, relax and all you can do is go through the process and see what happens!