It is awful that a number of us were let go from Chevron. Most were let go because they had the wrong connections. Start looking, the market outside of oil and gas is pretty good. I have found a new job in less than a week, and much more interesting work, in an environment that is not as toxic. I think a lot of us are luckier than some that stayed. Who knows if they will even get a severance package.
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If a manager or someone at Chevron want to put a bad background check on you, it is simple and this is how it works. When you apply for a new job, let's say Conoco for example, the manager at there doesn't have to call HR to find out about your reputation, they will bypass HR at Chevron and call up a manager or former coworker from the Department you were terminated from, and If that person doesn't like you, they will put a bad background check out on you.
If that person who was let go "got a job with flying colors" and there's no incentive for him to lie, then he was just a victim of the cuts and was a good employee. Many good employees get laid off. If you are valuable enough then you will find something else, and possibly even better. Your experience at Chevron will be valuable. I have learned, earned and gained all sorts of invaluable experience from every place that I worked in O & G. The places that sucked the most are where I learned the most. Think of Chevron like that and keep your head up. If you are that good you will find another job probably a better one!!! These lay-offs will be the best thing that happened to you, and you can thank that smug manager for the poor review!!!
Anonymous169409 - according to Chevron HR the Chevron managers that provided you references have violated corporate policy. Your statement of , "I'm not sure what Anonymous169358 means by "industry contacts" and "calling people they know"... that shit is so yesterday. Recruiters have been parsing linkedin and facebook for years... " You are a moron, linkedin and facebook is what I am talking about. the social networks are just another way of contacting references for unofficial feedback. any form of communication is "not so yesterday", dip$hit! If you are so wonderful, why were let go in the RAE. The RAE was for underperformers, right?
Ok people, a little advice
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Never ever tell a prospective employer your current salary... HR won't tell them, so if you do, you lose all negotiating grounds
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I'm not sure what Anonymous169358 means by "industry contacts" and "calling people they know"... that shit is so yesterday. Recruiters have been parsing linkedin and facebook for years... keep up a good social presence, it trumps whatever that guy is talking about
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If you've worked hard, your managers will give you a reference. I gave my new employer the chevron phone numbers for 3 of my managers for referrals (with permission of course) and got a new job with flying colors... no Agent Smiths tracking anyone down for that.
Companies looking for recommendations don't only go to HR to get a reference. Employers look for industry contacts and call people they know for unofficial references. It happens all the time. I know because I have done it when considering employees for hire. Anybody that thinks it does not happen either has their head in the sand or is living in a fantasy world.
Im happy to see this post. I had this problem this week and my friends this is very sad. I was able to get the name of the person who put a bad background check on me. I have informed Chevron Hr and now im talking to a lawyer. This happens and the sad thing is this person dose not even really know me. This time im now walking away..
Right. When the executives retire and move on to the board of directors of several companies, Chevron states only that they worked here from xx to yy.
Anonymous169097, thanks for your post. I agree completely with your statement and assessment of how things work.
The typical Chevron manager is too risk-averse to EVER take the chance of legal blow-back, for having "said the wrong thing" about a previous employee. There might be other paths of communication, as others, herein, have mentioned which could result in defamation of one's performance/record/etc., but I doubt it would ever be divulged, directly, by someone in management. Having said that, I've had prospective employers tell me, "well, if Chevron won't give you a recommendation, we're not interested." (In so many words.) And, of course, it sounds kind of weak, when attempting to convince them of Chevron's recommendation policy in order to convince them to change their mind. In my opinion, it just reinforces the hypocrisy prevalent within Chevron, for all the slogans and chest-beating about how "people matter",... they really don't, when they're through with you, it's over. Given the current industry-wide downturn, however, the chances of not recieving a recommendation from Chevron (any employer for that matter) in hurting one's chances of obtaining new employment ought to be fairly minimal, and your success in doing so will likely boil down to how well you present yourself, your qualifications, etc. All in all, I think this is kind of a "meh" issue.
You guys need to stop accusing everyone of being a troll or being in HR. I have held supervisory positions over 30 years. The rule of law is that no employer is allowed to divulge the reason for departure. the only information that can be shared is the position you held and how long you were with the company. It is very important for each of you to pay close attention to what it is that you say about you previous employer in your interviews. Those who ae good at screening will read the unspoken words and make decisions based on. Now take a little accountability for your own actions and stop other people for every single problem that you face.
Doesn't always have to happen through official channels. The oil business is an incredibly small world, hiring managers have contacts and friends at other companies and if they can get an unofficial reference on a potential recruit they will do so.
Allah has a plan for all of us!
The HR business partners at Chevron are essentially internal police to protect unethical management and build backup material to rid the company of those who dare question spending and promotion practices. It is a sad way to make a living.
That kind of cold statement is code for you were a rotten employee.
Thank you for your long chevron answer. You must be Hr. But this happens and we as employees do not normaly find out. We should not be upset about this its life its the chevron way. The upseting part has to be the people like this person who acts like chevron would NEVER do something like this. Some times bad things happen to good people and sometimes people make mistakes in life and at work just keep fighting never give up. Good luck to anyone who has to deal with this problem and keep your head up. God is good all the time
Anonymous168679, you are not providing the facts. First of all, the labor law restricts what kind of information can be provided to other companies. Chevron adheres to the law in the strictest manner. Chevron will only divulge that you were an employee of Chevron and the last position you held. They will not provide your salary (not even a range), nor the reason you left the company. That's how limited the information would be. Second, it's Chevron's policy to not provide a recommendation. I recently left Chevron, and when I asked my supervisor to provide Their name as a reference, I was told he could not. My supervisor was willing to do this for me, but was alerted to the company's policy by the department manager. It's unfortunate that folks being terminated cannot even rely on a supervisor helping them out, but that's Chevron's policy. So, to your allegation... it's completely false that someone will be rolled under the bus by Chevron after they are terminated. In fact, just the opposite. The information provided to prospective employers will be very limited and will only serve to prove that you did work here before, nothing more.
When you leave an unethical company run by mid-level bullies, the chances are high that they will continue to attack your reputation. You have options. If you get a recording of the negative feedback, you will have some valuable evidence.