Anti-Takeover Measures

Occidental does not have a stockholder rights plan (poison pill) or a classified board or similar anti-takeover devices. For more information, visit the Stockholder Rights Plan Policy page.

Confidential Voting

All proxies, ballots and other voting material that identify how a stockholder voted are kept confidential, except to permit tabulation by an independent tabulator, to comply with law, to satisfy a stockholder's request for disclosure, in connection with a contested proxy solicitation, or if a stockholder writes a comment on a proxy card or ballot. For more information, visit the Confidential Voting page.

Code of Business Conduct

On February 13, 1997, the Board of Directors adopted a comprehensive Code of Business Conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees that reaffirms Oxy's commitment to high standards of ethical conduct and reinforces Oxy's business ethics, policies and procedures. The Code of Business Conduct includes Oxy's policies concerning, among other things, compliance with laws, rules and regulations (including insider trading laws); conflicts of interest (including corporate opportunities); and protection of corporate assets. The Audit Committee of the Board is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Code of Business Conduct (PDF).

Human Rights Policy

In December 2004, Occidental adopted a formal Human Rights Policy that sets forth Occidental’s commitment to promoting human rights in the areas where it operates. A summary of the policy is contained in the Code of Business Conduct. The Corporate Governance, Nominating and Social Responsibility Committee is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Human Rights Policy. For more information, visit the Human Rights page in our Social Responsibility section.

Golden Parachute Policy

The Golden Parachute Policy, as revised in 2005, provides that, subject to certain exceptions, Occidental will not grant Golden Parachute Benefits (as defined in the Policy) to any senior executive that exceed 2.99 times his or her salary plus bonus, unless the granting of such benefits is approved by a vote of Occidental’s stockholders.

Compensation Consultants

In February 2008, the Board approved a policy requiring that all compensation consultants retained by the Executive Compensation and Human Resources Committee be independent. For purposes of the policy, a consultant is independent if (1) the consultant has not provided executive compensation services with respect to Occidental and its executive officers other than to the Compensation Committee and (2) the consultant firm has not received payment for services (other than to the Compensation Committee) which exceed one percent of such consultant’s gross revenues. For more information, visit the Independent Compensation Consultant Policy page.

Majority Vote for Election of Directors

Pursuant to Occidental’s by-laws, directors are elected by the majority of votes cast with respect to such director, meaning that the number of votes cast “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director. Any director who receives a greater number of votes “against” his or her election than votes “for” in an uncontested election (a “Majority Against Vote”) must tender his or her resignation. Unless accepted earlier by the Board of Directors, such resignation shall become effective on October 31st of the year of the election.