Thread regarding ExxonMobil Corp. layoffs

In regards to the campus lead who went to IT (not sure that’s correct?) and was forced in to retirement, if it is who I think it is… he was a perfect example of someone who got away with whatever he wanted, with zero repercussions. Would drink excessively on business trips, fall asleep in stakeholder meetings and was an absolute embarrassment and disgrace to the company, and awful example for employees. Yet, he was in a position of authority and made tons of money. No idea how he got away with as much as he did for as long as he did; and like so many other managers - the rules and standards of business conduct didn’t apply.

The gig was finally up and he was forced to retire in ~2018. If it was anyone else in his organization, he would have been fired years earlier.

@OP+1mdmRsBJ

We always made money despite ourselves. If we had not been so arrogant, we would have streamlined the company several decades ago and made even more money.

In 2020-2023, we finally had to admit to ourselves that we were not smarter or better than everyone else. That is why downsizing is so painful now. We increased headcount and refused to admit that there were third party companies much better at providing services than doing everything "in-house".

Even research and engineering has been "me-too" for several decades.

Everyone should be reminded that the leader of EMHC project was forced into IT and then forced into retirement sooner than expected.

XOM is a soul sucking enterprise. If you stay long enough you will become a shell of the person you could have been if you weren't exposed to the constant stress inducing gaslighting. At first it will be mental stress and then it WILL manifest itself with physical illnesses. If you are feeling constant stress, please leave and take care of yourself. Working hard and being productive should be fun and rewarding, not painful.

@1erl+1mdmRsBJ I’ve been long gone and couldn’t be happier! 🥳

We love our home in The Woodlands, just minutes from the office, on a pond (which I stocked with large mouth bass), on the 4th tee box of the TPC, walking distance to the Pavilion, the river walk, the mall, etc. (With that info see if you can spot my home) We have been here since 1984 and have watched this community develop nicely over that period. It was really great when they moved the EM office from Gunspoint to a point so close to my home that the commute became almost nothing.

So you knew Exxon was a terrible company in 2011 yet you are still here 12 years later. So in 12 years you couldn’t get another job. That says you are incompetent or lazy, which is it? So you have been complaining for 12 years and did nothing about it, just continue to be a “victim”? Please post your name so we can NSI you for the third time.

I'll take Houston over Fairfax any day. I spent a lot of time on Fairfax County in a prior job, and could not wait to get back home to Houston after each trip.

The campus was meant to be a showpiece. There was no collaboration. Collaboration starts with culture. Culture starts with trust.

The people put in charge are charlatans who have not earn their positions or the trust of the people. They kiss up and kick down, and continue to be promoted.

Keeping up with the Jones is a game that is played everywhere, but you don’t have to play it. Putting pressure on kids to play multiple sports, be in multiple clubs, and achieve top academic scores is not a path to a meaningful life. It’s a recipe for raising excellent sheep who jump over the ever higher bars we set before they break.

Houston is a mixed bag of social economic communities. There are many people who don’t live in the bubble who struggle every day but lead much happier lives than those who live in multimillion dollar homes. They also don’t complain about their salary because they can barely afford to feed themselves yet are willing to share with their family, neighbors, and friends. If you don’t like your community, then what are you doing to fix it? What can you do to find joy in whatever place you happen to live in, albeit temporarily.

Best part of the campus is the tail. Unfortunately, many have left to wiggle the hallways or Zoom screens at other companies.

Houston is a he-l hole … but TW is an elitist bubble of a community where keeping up with the Joneses is on OVER DRIVE (in your brand new BWM / Mercedes / Land Rover / Suburban. Or, Jeep if you’re a teenager just learning how to drive.)

I couldn’t get myself or my children out of there fast enough. The people who (climb? claw? Miraculously transcend?) their way up the ladder at EM and sacrifice their souls for the company, seem all-to thrilled to put their kids in the monster-sized schools and watch them get STAR-tested to death.

Want to play sports? Unless you’ve been playing football / soccer / baseball … or doing tumbling since you were a tot - there’s no way you’ll make one of the varsity high school teams.

It’s all about staying ahead of the competition. Start ‘em young and work ‘em hard and maybe they can be EM HiPos one day!

Parts of Texas are lovely a d some of the people are great. But in general, that whole Houston area… no thanks. Lupe Tortilla was the highlight and only thing I truly miss.

2011 is when I called it a day. Sadly it seems like it hasn’t improved. Flat to down…

Agreed that houston is a ****hole, but no one is forcing you to live in the city. At least campus is close to TW, which obviously doesn’t compare to VA suburbs, but is a halfway decent place to live

I have to disagree that the campus is a “monstrosity”. The campus is one of the best things to happen to Exxon. Those who had the vision to execute it and spare no cost deserve praise.