Great analogy, 123260! How true, it's just like Musical Chairs that we played in the second grade. Advice to all would be to stay in your cubicles while the ROM music is playing. You don't want to be caught taking a break when it stops. Good luck to all playing the game!
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Left standing. Is what happens in musical chairs. You lost and go home.
When a worker is left standing, it is not unlike being crucified.
I have seen very dedicated, hard working, smart people "left standing" over past ROMS. Eventually they do much better at other energy companies, but it takes time. The Cheron Way let's aggressive, unethical bullies pick who goes and stays. Some day, there will be a book and maybe a movie like "The Smartest Guys and Gals in the Room."
SWAT is an acronym for Simpleton With Arrogant Tone. One of several reasons Chevron is in the position it's in. My post will be remembered when they leave the building with box in hand.
The Resource Optimization Management (ROM) process is drawn out and methodical because it eases the shock. It's not unlike the frog in a cup of water, slowly heating up, the frog stays put and eventually is boiled alive.
At the end of the Project Alpha ROM, in late October, the gnashing of teeth will be over for most. Thousands of lives will be altered and those left standing will be in for a stark period. Ironically, those who kept their jobs will justify in their own way that they are the superior employee.
Chevron stock may tick up enough to cover the modest severance packages and BCG fees.
In mid-summer of 2016, a Project Delta will most likely be announced and a new ROM will role out.
May the odds be ever in your favor like those of your executives.
SWAT, very funny. That is CEO John Watson's CAI.
Ex-Chevron Employee 2015, your words ring pompous to my ear. There really is an abundance of helpful information on the Project Alpha website to assist employees manage change. Employees would be well-served to digest this information first and then ask questions.
FYI, Anonymous 122455 - You sound to me like an arrogant and pompous person when you ended your reply to the poster saying; "If you can't be bothered to read what is provided then you'll likely struggle to make the cut anyways." May your sentiments reflect on you when YOU may one of the many who get cut. Take it from me, the ROM process being used at Chevron has its many flaws and employee competency on the job is not the leading factor that will determine who stays and who goes. Remember my words and try to be more humble when commenting on legitimate questions.
FYI Anonymous122455- I am a retiree who has many friends at Chevron, and I am trying to understand what they are telling me. I am not privey to emails or the Project Alpha website. Please do not make the mistake and assume you know the people asking sincere questions. I do appreciate the information, thank you.
Left standing is when you are not selected for all the positions you have applied for. Stand Up could mean that you have "Raised your hand", essentially volunteering to be left standing.
Here's the reality on both.
Let's first discuss Raising your Hand.
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It may or may not be "allowed" in this ROM.
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Just because you raise your hand, does not guarantee that you will be left standing.
a. The "deciders" will look at the role you are currently in and determine if there is a suitable candidate that can do your job.
b. It there is not a suitable candidate and the job is deemed important the likely outcome is that you will not be left standing and you will be "placed" in your current role despite the fact you did not apply for it. Or:
c. You are placed not into the role you are currently in but into an entirely different role. Keep in mind, you asked to be left standing so there is really no guarantee that also get your old role back if it is a non-critical role.
So you may be saying that the items C & D appear to contradict one other if the outcome is that the do not leave you standing. How can one be too important to let go, but not remain in their current position? Well the stated goal of the ROM is to place talented employees in effective roles, so while you may be good at your job to the point where they cannot lose you, you may be more effective to the company in a different capacity. So that's the thought, but the cynical will exclaim that for the older employee eligible for retirement, not being granted the wish of being left standing is simply the company not wanting to give you a year of severance before your inevitable retirement. Who knows if this is the real reason, I sure do not.
Now Left Standing:
You must apply for at least 3 positions in the ROM. You will rank them in order of desirability. It is also wise to come up with 3 alternates and discuss the with your team lead. You want to do this because if you are facing the reality that your existing position no longer exists you want to equip your TL with enough roles that they could officially nominate or "write you in for".
Here's the deal, you're stacked up and ranked against everyone else applying for a position. If you happen to be weak in all of them you are left standing unless someone nominates you for a position or you have a list of alternatives. Left standing means that you were not selected for any role and will be eligible for a severance if you fulfill you responsibilities preceding your last day on the job. At this point you need to get busy networking within and outside the company.
When left standing you may be placed into a transitional role with a yet unknown final date or be given an expected date of separation.
In either situation you need to get busy networking as sometimes thing will change and something could open up, but given the numbers let go it's going to be tough.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Read through the ROM page (link was in the announcement email). The company put a lot of time into explaining the process.
Left standing is the folks who aren't selected in their ROM and aren't elligible for the next one (has to be within 2 pay grades).
Stand up is people who state their preference to be let go. The company still will base the decision on business needs though so if you are of value it won't matter.
If you can't be bothered to read what is provided then you'll likely struggle to make the cut anyways.