Secretly record with your iPhone every town hall meeting and conversation with your supervisor/manager regarding Chevron layoffs. It could prove to be useful if you want to file a lawsuit against wrongful termination. I had a previous job where my supervisor said some outrageous things, then later denied saying anything. If I had a recording, I could have taken him to court.
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The only way to sue for discrimination and possibly have a chance of winning something is to organize a class-action lawsuit. Easier said than done. You will need as many laid off folks as possible to begin with. Not everyone is in a position to spend some money they may not have and play the long waiting game. I'm sure you may have a strong case, because Chevron is aiming to get rid of the older employees with higher pay, as they burden the company the most (pay and benefits). The best case scenario will be to get a small settlement to end the class lawsuit, but don't think anyone will hit the jackpot. I know it's frustrating and it sucks to get laid off, but the best thing now is to prepare your resume, start looking for work. Hopefully you get to keep your job, but if not, take your severance and accept a new job.
124588 you must be a flunky in HR. Just go on and accept illegal discrimination practices? What is your point?
What a turd. Have a happy ROM,.... idiot.
You are being so generous, telling us to accept a corrupt system of friends and family members who discriminate against employees based on age, race, gender, national origin in hiring, firing and promotions, while rating themselves ever higher PMP evaluations, not only surviving ROMs but advancing. You paid how much to a law firm? $10,000, for legal representation at the EEOC, that you could have handled yourself for free. Tell us where you are now? You say you moved on. To what, another oil company? Why would another oil company hire you, a poor performer with a 2- or 3 PMP rating?
Anonymous 124588,... HUH? (I'll say this more slowly, this time, you know,... to give you time to move your mouth, as you read,...) I NEVER SAID I WON A SETTLEMENT. Got that? I DID take some legal action (planed an employment attorney on retainer, filed with the EEOC, which is a mandatory first step), but when the EEOC determined that I had no standing under statutes relating to discrimination, they DID "rule" that my case merited further action, if I chose to do so, under different statutes, within the state of Texas (and, under THOSE statutes, the potential MAXIMUM awards were MUCH LESS than under the laws governing discrimination,... which tells you a lot about where we are, as a country, these days,... wrong should be wrong, but somehow, the worst thing a company can do, now, is discriminate against protected classes,... but, c'est la vivre, I guess). I did consider going forward, because I felt that I had really been shit upon, but the specter of "betting" upwards of $100k on a "possible" total award of $300k, with pretty good odds that it could end up being less, and legal action which could drag on for years, finally sunk into my thick skull. As to the rest of your "analysis" and belief that, somehow, the company will settle,... just laughable. Only a very desperate, or very angry, person would attempt what you suggest. I was not desperate. I WAS pissed off. And, after all was said and done, I wondered what I had accomplished. Maybe I vented some of my anger,... I did make an attempt to "find justice", and then discovered just how elusive "justice" can be. I read these posts with a great deal of empathy,... I understand everyone's anger and frustration, and it's easy to pick out the one's who believe "they've got it all figured out". But, the truth is,... NO ONE'S GOT IT ALL FIGURED OUT. So, if "recording" makes you feel better,.. DO IT. But, don't fool yourself into believing that you're going to beat the company,... only in extreme cases might that be a possibility. Otherwise,... just accept what happens to you and move on.
Record, record and make Chevron pay for their good old boy/gal system. Your case is a good example of how Chevron throws money around to circle the wagons around its pompous management. You told us you received $350,000. Chevron payed outside counsel about the same, $350,000 or more.
Or take the severance deal, two-weeks for every year and your unused vacation days, plus some COBRA health benefits.
What does that come to? Less than you on the payroll for the remainder of 2015. Adding insult to injury, you will never be able to work for Chevron again and you are damaged goods. The competition knows that you were fired during the 2015 ROM, meaning you were a poor performer. That's The Chevron Way.
Anonymous124339, great info. Thanks for the post
Anonymous124366, go ahead and record anything you want. That's your prerogative. Dwelling on the past, playing those recordings over and over, won't give you solace. Best focus on the positive now and come to work as usual. You have no idea who is going to be left standing when the music stops playing. You may be astonished to find yourself with a job, and the high potential employee one cubicle over is hung out to dry. I understand your anguish waiting for a verdict, but keep your chin up, especially at the office. Stay away from the cliques that want to spread doom and gloom. In the end, if it's your misfortune to leave, your friends will remember that you left with your integrity intact. Good luck to you from someone who was there before.
Why not record all encounters regarding layoffs? it is legal to do so and only you will know. At least you will have a record that you can refer back to later. And I am willing to bet that some supervisors/managers will go "off script"
Shame Chevron, post their town hall layoff speaches on You tube. Years later, when they try to attract new talent, these recordings will still be out there to inform candidates that Chevron has no loyalty to employees.
Sure! Record! If that'll make you happy! But, just TRY to find a "well established employment law firm that defends employees and whistleblowers". I did that very thing, and it cost $10,000 TO START! Then, when the EEOC comes back with a 'verdict' of "Right To Sue", your fun will REALLY start to cost you! How does $75k sound, just to get subpoenas, witness interviews, etc.? See,... unless you have a slam-dunk, no-way-you-can-lose civil rights violation (based on race, gender, etc.), the EEOC will not get involved. Potential awards under those laws are substantial, and if your attorney feels you have standing under those statutes, you're golden. If not,... the EEOC will come back with the Right To Sue verdict, which, to quote the attorney I had, "throws you into legal purgatory",... yes, you can proceed and bring suit against the offending employer, BUT, under the statutes which will apply in THOSE cases, the potential awards are vastly less, in my case, $350,000. And you're going to have to pony up some serious scratch (around $75k) just to START playing THAT game! Think you're "man enough" to gamble that kind of dough? Think about that. At that point, the company will do everything in it's power to obfuscate, delay, postpone, or otherwise derail your legal attack, and THEY are far better prepared, both legally and monetarily to play that game than YOU are. So,... if you want to listen to clowns like Anoymous 124294, go right ahead. But, you better be prepared to play hard ball, because that's what you're in for.
Excellent advice, Anonymous 124047. Record, record, record. The HR people hardly ever stay on script. I've heard one say in a public town hall that you do not have a right to your pension, if you are fired, you could lose it all. That was a blatant lie. In Texas, you have the right to record conversations. This is not so in some other states. Take advantage of it. Record in private conversations with your manager if she/he is an unethical bully. Then, search for a well established employment law firm that defends employees and whistleblowers. If you have any suggestions, please post them.
Anonymous 124066, what is the severance package? Please give the details. Is it two weeks for every year of service, plus unpaid vacation days for the rest of the year and for 2016? Are there extra years given toward retirement, such as four years to your age or service to make early retirement a better option?
What exactly is the Chevron severance package? Record that as well. Chevron business units change the facts on packages too. Record, record, record.
Anon 1244066 is correct. I have "been there", too. You're dealing with weasels and the deck is stacked against you. To seek "justice" is a fool's errand. Times such as these are a test of one's moral fiber, faith, and courage. Focus on the positives,... don't give in to the negative. If you can do that, you'll emerge, a better person, stronger, more confident, able to accept Life as it is, the good AND the bad. This garbage will all pass. Let it go and trust in who you are and your creator. .
Dear Anonymous124047, believe me when I tell you that recording conversations will not help you. First of all, any communications you have with HR or management have been well scripted. Your recordings will not pick up anything close to the evidence you would need in court. Just face it, if you or anyone is told you are left standing, best take the deal and leave. Paying a lawyer is not cheap and taking on the company's legal team with all their money, will not work in your favor. I know how ou feel. I was there once and in the end, the severance deal that a Chevron is offering is more than fair. Good luck to you.