But I’m a chicken. I’ve got a family, aging parents, bills that keep climbing, and debt that isn’t going anywhere, while the options out there shrink by the day. So yeah, I’m worried out of my mind. It’s not helpful, but I honestly don’t know how to help myself. Most of us don’t have solid ground to stand on or savings to weather the storm.
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@OP I lived this myself in 2020 as did many others. People have landed on their feet or even better. You will do well and become more resilient in the process. Good luck.
I feel for you from the bottom of my heart.
I was in the same situation at one time (during 2020). I survived, but decided not to live through this misery.
Believe me, it was very scary to leave the security of Imperial Oil (or that is what I thought at that time).
After leaving I found it to be OK. It is not as bad as they make you think in Imperial. I eventually started earning more than what I earner in Imperial.
It is not easy to adopt to new cultures and make new friends in a new place, but it is do-able.
Sitting beside the pool, don’t think of the water being too cold. Just close your eyes, and jump into it. You will feel cold for the first minute or so, and then you will be OK. :)
Best of luck.
Don’t worry. When you leave Imperial nobody will respect you worked there or think you have any clue what you are doing given they have a poor reputation in the industry. Also your job title is probably 2 or 3 levels lower than your actual level of responsibility at a competitor so unless you are willing to lie a little on your resume nobody will take you seriously.
From a former employee I know the prospect of leaving the warm nest of IOL seems scary. But there’s a whole wide world out there. There is life after Imperial.
Remember…… you are only a number.
Don’t let management gaslight you by telling you they care about you.
Public relations is working hard at spinning this into a positive.
Good luck.
@d6
That is truly awful, I can’t believe IOL did that to the Sarnia research people. This is not the ESSO I once knew and loved.
The out-of-control piece of this is hard. There’s no discussion on what we might like to do in the future org, no clarity on timing if we do move, what about registering kids for school or daycare in a new place? When can we start applying for other jobs if we’re separated? Decisions are made behind closed doors with no input from us and the anxiety and uncertainty of that is so stressful. Brains like certainty and we’ll invent a story or explanation, even if way worse than reality, to fill the unknown.
There’s some things we can do, focus on what you can control. We can reach out and ask how our coworkers are doing, reach out to network contacts and old colleagues and be vulnerable- ask if they know of companies hiring or if they’d be willing to give you a reference. We can update out LinkedIn profiles and aggressively follow/share/like and endorse the skills of our coworkers on LinkedIn. Also we should max out our SDA assessment this year within reason, don’t be shy, because I remember skills in SDA played a factor in the 2020 redundancy decisions.
@a6 🎵 The waiting is the hardest part...
Those of us at Sarnia research are actually thrilled we only need to wait three or four more months in limbo after a total and complete information vacuum for 18 months after being told we were fu---d
It is tough and not enough time to change things now, I have reasonable house debt and no other debts, Similar situation, with aging parents and young family to support, but a few things I can possibly recommend that has helped me
- Plan to limit/eliminate your debts in the next 6 months. It will mean some tough lifestyle choices but better than being so stressed.
- Dave Ramsey, Morgan Housel has some good advise
- Stoicism, Soul in the Game is a good book with some sections with practical advise on this.
Tough situation and I pray that you get to keep your job, but make these life/mindset changes anyways and you will be much happier and way less stressed regardless of the situation. Hope this helps.
Being kept waiting in limbo for 3-4 months is really tough.