LyondellBasell’s post-Covid leadership has eroded trust. The aggressive push for return-to-office—escalating from 2 to 3 days a week, with rumors of 4 and then all 5 on the horizon—completely ignores employee stress, health, and overall well-being.
To add insult to injury, the office relocated with no regard to existing employees' wishes. These decisions were made/are being made by executives who are unaffected or minimally affected in their day-to-day.
This relocation resulted in a grueling two-hour daily commute for me, and the RTO mandate has come with no additional compensation for time, fuel, or vehicle wear. Raises have been modest, barely matching inflation or the newly forced travel burdens.
The stated goal of fostering "collaboration, creativity and a strong team culture” feels hollow as virtual meetings (required as many teams are global and span multiple time zones) dominate office days, rendering the commute--and conference rooms--unnecessary.
On the subject of office space: There's already an issue with desk availability while on our current hybrid schedule. That problem will only get worse as they continue to creep the number of office days back up. One of LYB's core values is 'We champion people' yet they are failing their own employees with their poor choices.
What was once a great workplace now prioritizes control over practicality.
A year ago I was telling friends and family to apply here. Now, I would never, as LYB is quickly losing what made it desirable and stand out. It's falling in line with all of the other big corporations that see their employees as work drones with no need for home-work balance.
The recent executive decisions have soured what was once a great workplace. I genuinely hope they reverse course, otherwise I am not confident in the future of this company. With a recent round of layoffs and the unpopular decision to increase office days, I foresee a brain drain as employees reach a breaking point.
Houston applicants, do not board this sinking ship.
