I have been contemplating this for a while now & am not sure how what is happening should be viewed. Is it a lack of ethics? Is it a moral issue? I just cannot put my finger on it. All I do know is that it is wrong on so many different levels. What bothers me the most is the willingness, in many cases, to disparage long & short service employees rather than simply state the need for a workforce reduction. Something has gone terribly wrong when the choice is made to belittle your employees in order to deceive the public. I am over 60 and am among those who have given my all for many years only to now be labeled a poor performer.
I would also caution the creepers out here claiming we are were we belong to educate yourself & I will pray that you never experience this.
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No, in many cases it IS personal. Have a boss that likes you and is willing to go to bat for you, you aren’t likely on this site. Having the wrong manager at the wrong time is fatal to one’s career. Especially when chopping their employees heads off likely saves theirs. Exxon is not the company it used to be, we all willingly accepted less pay, less flexibility and no bonuses because the company preached about job security. As a shareholder and a human being, one hates to see this sort of c-ap being pulled.
Thanks for your post! Sounds like me.
In response to the question regarding 55+ and what options are given:
I am one of these people ... 60 years old & 31+ years with the company.
I was given the same 3 options as most:
(1) Because I am retirement eligible I can choose to retire as long as it is on or before Nov 1.
- There are no other incentives offered. (date chosen by XOM)
(2) I can leave now and receive 3 months pay.
- - To get this option you are required to sign a waiver which essentially states you will never come back on XOM legally nor could I work for the company ever again. (This option just didn't feel right for me)
(3) Take the 3 month PIP.
- - I spoke with 3 different managers whom I have personal relationships and learned that this option is incredibly difficult to overcome. (I was advised not to waste time with this option)
Interesting thread. I survived a vicious PIP (not at XoM) some time ago, and indeed, any trust in any co-workers is gone for good. For oil industry salaries people will sell their mother!
As for management, never ever believe what anyone of them is telling you. Request everything in writing, record verbal conversations on a cell phone or via a splitter if remote. A few times I did not record recently, I instantly regretted that. Texas is a one party consent state, record early and often!
Anyway, I am essentially "undead" at my workplace, won't leave for free, but the careless desire to make a difference had evaporated. I am telling you, XoM is breeding "zombies", when non-impacted employees realize they can be next to be the designated NSI.
Unfortunately, this is what happens. I know from personal experience how people I thought I loved and respected turned into the worst kind of people by spreading rumors or dropping not so subtle hints about the poor performance of their co-workers. Unfortunately, it mostly worked. This was at Chevron.
I have friends who tell a similar tale at Hess. When people get backed into a corner, their true nature comes out.
For anyone already retirement eligible (55+ and 15+ years service), are they still being fired “for performance reasons” or are they told first to retire so they won’t be fired? I just turned 55, and am wondering.
I would not think too hard into the situation on the future of the company, unfit or poor management, who was NOT Piped or who is under or over 40 years of age. A lay off is a lay off and at will employment is either with or without cause. Company loyalty to employees went away a long time ago at most companies. EM lived through the oil bust of the early 80s, the 09 recession, the 15-16 oil downturn (all while able to build EM Woodlands complex) and now is releasing employees during the pandemic recessed economy. 10 years with a company is good tenure while most young professionals have shorter work history with companies due to job turnover for better opportunities. Technology also changed the face of the work force years ago. It s—s to lose a job but to lose one in the past because of the price of oil is very common and to lose one in today's covid world is very common. Take the severance, get on unemployment (hope for the additional $600 pay is passed by congress-cobra is expensive) and ride out of the year hoping for the best return of the economy while reviewing future employment opportunities. EM is a typical political, corporate America company. Many have found good tenure with smaller companies or outside the O&G arena. Most workers have been faced with an entirely different job market since 09 recession (more contract workers and lack of jobs with benefits) and now we shall see want the post pandemic work force will be offered. Hopefully, working remotely will only be an option for those needing to stay home because if minor illness, children out school or home repairs.
I firmly believe the company is intentionally doing this in such a way to demoralize the remainder of the workforce. Employees not PIP’ed out that are retirement eligible will go in the 4th quarter due to record low lump sum interest rates. Everyone knows they are planning on doing the same MLRP next year and are just waiting to see how many retire on their own this year so they can achieve their 25% workforce reduction goal. This will expedite the planned move to the BTC in India. I foresee 5 years from now having around 1,000 employees in Houston and the rest in India.
C—roaches will continue to survive and throw others under the bus. Hoo haaa haaa
I agree with the sentiment and the assessment. Integrity was one of the last pillars of a set of values that I’ve seen eroded over the last decade. The first to go was long term thinking, then doing the right thing went to the side, and lately (with the absurd push to repopulate campus despite the warning signs and regardless of the consequences) even safety. What’s displayed in this lay-off is the disregard for the fundamental affirmation that people is the most important asset to the enterprise.
Forget about those mercilessly let go and labeled “poor performers” (despite all evidence to the contrary), think about the message to new hires, the toll on morale and added stress to those remaining, and the breach of trust.
Very few believe anymore what managers do or say, and now -with the culture of fear back on- none will dare to speak as the ship goes down.
The execution of this program has been terrible and will have long term consequences.
There is a saying.
True evil is a person who makes the pain they afflict on you seam as if it’s your fault.
Your over 60 enjoy the rest of your life. Walk away from this place with your head held high. It’s ok it’s not personal it’s about big business and execs wanting their huge pay days they believe they deserve.