I'm a fifty-two-year-old guy who's been with XOM for nearly 25 years. I'm getting close to early retirement and the moment it becomes a possibility I'm grabbing it. I've been petrified lately that I'll be laid off or fired before that happens. I have no idea what I'd do in that case. I'm well aware of what the job market is for people my age. Add to that the fact that I haven't interviewed for a job for decades and I have no idea what's changed in the process since then... I just keep praying that I don't have to find out.
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If they try to fire you, get a lawyer and have him/her attend all PIP meetings / review PIP plans / etc.; EM HR / Law talk tough until they have to deal with a potential lawsuit.
PIPs are easy to beat - show up early, stay late, get all the outlined PIP deliverables performed on time with accuracy and document all conversations with your supervisor in an email (and I mean every conversation) - print the email for your file and review with your lawyer.
You will be fine - at 52 they won't fire you, make it to 53 and you are untouchable - just do your job and pick up the pace, take a step-out opportunity or two, show up first, stay late and you will bring more value and go up in the assessment - kind of funny how that works.
Let’s be realistic. If they want to get rid of you they will make up something like they do with a lot of others. I honestly wonder If mgmt ranking meetings have become all about how good you did making up things to drop people in rank or fire people. Sick bastards.
52 is protected. You are in one of the best spots to be in.
If your in Annandale, hope you can make 55 . Not looking good up here. “ I am standing “
That stress level - in your specific situation of age/years/policy/cannibals - probably could not be higher.
Got to take a deep breath. Think alot about things other than career for a while.
Why'd you start a career here?
Certainly the money, but professional interest, applying the intelligence and for a while working at EM was good for the reputation in society. In the beginning.
Maybe now - there is family and their future, the lawn maintenance or just plain hobbies of some sort.
It will all work out.
Fired before 55 for worthless and "safe" 25 years.
Thought it was 53 this year.
If you are a USA employee, 52 is Near Retirement Eligible, NRE, and EM has a policy of avoiding firing NRE personnel except for cause. Just do your job and avoid illegal and unethical actions and you should be safe until 55.