The Arrogance of Shell

Today I suffered a defeat at Shell.  Shell claims that it has done everything according to its HR policies and the law in my termination.  However, they are willing to provide me with some improved terms.  Their only requirement is that I drop my case at the Industrial Court.

I feel so lost, so sad that it has to come to this.  Now I await the written letter from Shell on what the HR Director told me today and I will see what is the right course of action in the next 2 weeks.

My lament to Shell:  Your snobbery will someday make you pay for your heartlessness and the people who stood in the way will find out one day what it is like to be treated thus.

Awaiting Shell's HR Director's Views and Verdict

After a meeting with JK on October 29, I am now awaiting the next meeting set for end of the month to hear what he has to say, post his findings.  If nothing comes out of it, the next action takes place.  Industrial Court will call for a representation hearing.  

While some people think that I have to get on with my life, to let go the past with Shell, I need to get this injustice undone and I am doing it with awareness and consciousness.  I am aware of what I am doing, even though it may be painful and seems like I am out to get Shell.  Well, I am not out to get Shell, I just want to make sure that all is fair and well at the end for my family.

Window to Shell's Top Management

On September 16, I sent out an open letter to Jeroen van der Veer, Chief Executive, Royal Dutch Shell, about my predicament - having been dismissed on medical grounds for depression.  This letter took a lot of effort and consideration to write, with advice from Derrick, my sister Margaret and brother-in-law Staffan.  Only after it was edited, checked and re-edited, was it sent out.

After sending it out, I left it as it was, not thinking much about it until Wednesday, during my telecon with Shell Malaysia Industrial Relations Manager, when I was told that Jeroen's office has taken up my case and will be communicating with me shortly.

Then on Thursday, I received an email from Jonathan Kohn, HR Director, informing me that Jeroen has communicated with Chairman Dato' Saw.  Jonathan wants to see me to hear from me my experience the last few months.

Is this a window of opportunity for me to speak my peace and be vindicated?  After exhausting several attempts to appeal for a better explanation for the dismissal, a reversal of the dismissal decision and a gratuity package other than that of the VSS formula (talking with the Medical Adviser, HR Manager, Health and Safety Manager, Managing Director, and even the HR GM), I was about to give up my cause when my family told me not to take it all sitting down, that I had to fight back.

That's when we got some legal advice and was told that I was unfairly dismissed, that the manner in which I was dismissed was unlawful, that I can win in the court of law.

However, rather than going out at arms in the court of law, I took the soft approach of the open letter.  My website www.shelledfordepression.com is now on the web, ready to be launched.  I have some 1,000 email addresses that I can use to garner support (500 of them from Shell).