By Sheila Dang HOUSTON (Reuters) -Chevron leaders told Hess employees to stay focused on safe operations and that they will hear next week if they will continue to have jobs following the oil producer's acquisition,

IT staff from both Chevron and Hess worked together to plan the integration. Affected Hess employees were given the option to request severance packages. The layoffs are expected

Chevron is expected to lay off more than 500 employees in Houston this fall as part of its integration with Hess Corporation, the company confirmed Thursday.