Well, it finally happened. Got called into a “quick sync” with my manager Monday morning. HR was already in the room, which tells you everything. They slid the PIP paperwork across the table, and before I could even read the “performance expectations” section, they informed me that because this was my second PIP in a five-year window, company policy allowed them to skip the improvement period entirely. Effective immediately. I was walked back to my desk by security to grab my jacket and my kid’s drawing off the monitor. Badge deactivated before I hit the parking garage. Eleven years, and I was out of the building in under 40 minutes. Some context for anyone who hasn’t been through the Exxon performance machine: the forced ranking system means somebody is always in the bottom bucket. Doesn’t matter how the team performs. My first PIP in 2022 came after a reorg where my entire project got shelved so nothing to show for the year because there was nothing left to show. I survived it, “closed it out successfully,” and naively thought that was behind me.
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How an NSI is presented:
An NSI meeting is usually just you and your supervisor. They can invite their own manager or/and HR, but not common. It is typically done in person, though they may choose to conduct it over Zoom.
How termination happens after a second NSI (within five years) or after “failing” a PIP:
The termination meeting is normally only you and your manager. They have the option to include their manager and/or HR, but again, this is uncommon. It is usually done in person, but they can choose to do it over Zoom and arrange a labeled return box for company property. The only items they truly care about are the phone and laptop — anything else you might still have is essentially useless outside the company.
When I received my underserved NSI last year, my supervisor wanted me to stay through my 7 days to hand off my work to her. Funny thing is I handed it all off to my work to the people who actually cared about and benefited from the work I was doing. She got nothing, because she didn't have a clue about what I was really doing. Now I could say they couldn't pay me enough to go back. My first year without doing a PADP in 20 years was glorious! In addition, no more of the BS siloed attituded. I have loved the feeling, but I miss Mama Hongs in the cafe and those people who actually knew and cared about what I was working on. So much is tied up in Polaris that everything else is going out the window. Good luck, if you are presented with a PIP, know that your skills are so much more valuable outside the company. Opt for the PIL and get a better job or go out on your own. The company is in a cut off your nose to spite their faces mode of operation. Take your skills and knowledge and use them for your benefit. Trust me, people are out there waiting to learn from you.
@gs never bring personal sh-t to the office. So you can walk away with whatever dignity you have left.
Viva Texas' employment at will.
@gt for you obviously not!
@gm Will that solve all your problems?
@gs nope they wont mail you anything
@gm Wellness center isn't free, genius.
@aa EM and IOL treat people that they’re firing like criminals. They will allow you to grab your personal items like purse/bag and jacket from your desk or office, but everything else will be packed for you and mailed to your residence.
@g3 contractor here. F U. I keep picking up the slack for you to have your wellness center and cry over your cushy life.
This sounds fake, when was the last time HR actually sat in an MLRP discussion? 2019
Or earlier?
And when was the last time actual paperwork was in said meeting? It’s all been via email with links.
Otherwise OP described process as would be expected.
But the story is still fake.
Same thing happened to me last year. We are all year to year contractors.
@ce also a video call after you return your laptop and phone?!
@ce kind of BS as the cards get deactivated and are rendered useless. Not that you can go to a remote site, crash their dorms, eat their food and borrow a truck. Wink! Wink!
After I signed my PIL, my manager also did the same thing, immediately walked me out the door without saying goodbye to anybody. I forgot to take some items from my desk including phone chargers and running shoes. When I got home, my manager video called me because he forgot to get my corporate card and in the video call, he made it sure I cut it into countless pieces which I happily did. I should have asked him to ship to me my stinky shoes. It was a horrible experience and personally humiliating to be walked out with some people staring.
@c6 Brutal, but unfortunately the reality. Last year my buddy, who sat next to me on campus, went through his first PIP. He was convinced he’d make it through. His manager scheduled a “meeting” in a huddle room, no HR present. Fifteen minutes later I saw him walk out, grab his personal stuff, leave the laptop on the desk, and head straight out of the building. They didn’t even let him say goodbye. I could see the happiness on the face of the guy actually caused him to be PIPed...They treated him like he was some kind of criminal. Later he told me he got a few follow‑up emails, including one asking him to mail back the laptop charger.
Gosh, I’m sorry for the way the company is handling the situation. Honestly, no one deserves this type of treatment. That being said, I know better things will come out of this. You will find more peace and honestly, a weight is lifted from you. Life’s too short to let this take any space in your head… move toward the better things such as family, friends and a peaceful work environment!
@bp Yup. But remember the results are Predetermined
So will they do any PIL on the first time through any more?
The company years ago labeled itself as a family and to some degree that is the way it acted.
What an absolute terrible way to treat an employee and human being.
I suspect like most people I talk to you had no indication that you were falling behind. It truly is a sorry state of affairs.
Best of luck in your next endeavor and hopefully your next company will appreciate your sacrifices more than this one.
Ah this place showing its true colors. Sorry that happened to you. You’ll be better off without this cesspool
From multiple sources I have gathered that you pretty much can't avoid the negative repercussions of a PIP and that its best to just interpret it as: "Paid Interview Period" and start looking for other jobs and doing interviews. Your situation proved that even if you "pass" a PIP, it stays on your record and can forever be used against you later. I think some people have said it disqualifies them from certain promotions or other incentives regardless of future performance.
Sorry this happened to you this way, but also excited and hopeful for you in that you now have room to breathe and can focus on getting a new opportunity that may actually end up in your favor.
Every time I've gone through a layoff I've come out on the other side with a better opportunity almost all around. Especially pay. If you've been there 11 years you're most likely underpaid.
Good luck and focus on yourself.
@ay You got to vote for the MRP policy change? I don’t think anyone here voted for any of the recent changes to XOM
Keep voting like is a horse racing. You all had the chance to change things but you were ok, you had your vacations and your toys while others got thrown under the bus and let go, and you didn't bat an eye.
Well, now your apathy is after you. Start running!
@OP Sorry not about walking out but the insulting process. The inhumanity hits a different level, and anyone who’s been through it knows exactly what that feels like. There is life after EM, and I genuinely hope you’re able to heal from it quickly and find a place where you’re valued instead of worn down. And do not forget it was not about your work or your personality we all know how the system works here...
I’m so sorry this happened to you. Just know it says nothing about you as a person and everything about the broken system. Best wishes.
Oh, so the HR policy change is retroactive? Instead of it being effective starting this year when announced and beginning the tracking from 2025 performance forward, they are pulling in past performance for 5 years back.
What’s stopping them from saying next year, “anyone that has receive 3 Very Good performance in the past 10 years will now be eligible for a PIP”?
I am sorry this happened the way it did. Good luck on life after Exxon. At least now you can look for a company that is not so harsh towards employees.
Seems excessive and insulting to have security walk you out of the building immediately.
@OP Thanks for sharing this. Honestly, I don't see many people talk openly about PIPs, so it's helpful to hear the real experience. The only similar story I've heard was from a friend, and it was his first PIP. He barely held it together. Reading your post brought that back. I'm really sorry this happened to you. I hope at least sharing your story helps others understand how these situations actually feel.
@OP Very unfortunate. Wishing you all the best in moving on.