I was laid off after nearly six years with the company and I admit, even after two weeks I'm having trouble coping. I can barely do any work because I'm distracted all the time. I actually thought this was the place where I would retire. I'm not worried about finding another job, I know that'll have to happen at some point but I'm just emotionally drained. The change, the utter injustice of it all... I wish I could get over it faster than I am. It would certainly make my life easier.
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Speaking of hiring, the process over 12 years ago to get hired was grueling and now it seems people are hired with a couple of simple interviews. The place is a mess.
I was with the company over 12 years and had the same feelings in the beginning. Give yourself a couple of months. You will wake up and it will hit you how good it feels to not be part of the toxic environment it has become. It is hard to see people post that here and not think they are saying it out of anger or emotion but after a couple of months you will see.
Smart move. Better to leave on your own terms. Everyone should be doing this.
This is why I'm going to leave before the next rank cycle. Can't bear to be blindsided. Rather leave on my terms.
I took PIL in July. I took a month to relax and do a lot of personal reflection. What you are feeling is completely normal and 2 weeks is not a long time when talking about grief. You are more than Exxon. So. Much. More.
Totally understand how you’re feeling! You just need time to go through the different phases of feelings. It took me a month or so. Are you still working thru Feb? If you are, I hope you take time off over the holidays.
Just remember the juxtaposition of employee fate and employer fate in this moment—-
Market will reward the employer for shedding staff
Employees will be released. The reason matters very little... boss just needs enough cause to stay legal.
Look right now market cap and stock price going back up
Oil price rebounding
Things will recover...
And the -company- will come out of the backside healthy
Employees only matter to the extent a tool or machine or raw mat’l matters..... to a process.
There are exceptions—- family members of small groups of powerful or small private companies.
If you are not part of the elite class... change your view of employer employer relationship... and you will cope better. And perhaps take care of your self and family better.
Gl
OP, I went through the same grief as you when I separated in July. It was tough, I was s–c-dal. Thought I'd see my retirement with XOM so I bought a house near the campus. When I looked for work, I only considered either remote or close to my house, but to no avail.
Cry if you must, I cried a lot, back then. You should not ignore your feelings. Eventually, you will go through the acceptance phase and move on. As you write your resume and submit it to multiple employers, you will start to feel better. I admit, it took awhile for me to get job offers, but it will happen for you. And when it does for you, you will smile again. For now, Just don't lose hope. Have fortitude in all you do going forward.
Adding to others comments, we completely hear you. Poor business decisions and toxic ranking systems do not lead to success. Please do not take the mistakes of others as your own; you seemed to have done your best. Take the time to make peace, give yourself space and then develop some goals that work for you. If this company hired you, you have skills. Don't let it dumb you down; you can get new skills & succeed with your positive attitude! All the best!
OP
I am feeling the exact same. I ranked high and was one of the best performers on my team. I was blindsided by the layoff as were my supervisor and manager. At first, I thought it was a mistake and they got the wrong person.
I refused to leave the company for other work because I wanted to retire with ExxonMobil.
You just have to stop thinking about it or trying to make sense of it. Because I do no think it will ever make sense. They just laid off random people across the board that fit the algorithm.
I received two feedbacks that I did not wear a tie during a stupid presentation. This was in a foreign business unit and I forgot to pack my ties somehow. I thought I did pack 'em. I tried to buy one from the lobby but there was none. Do you forget? I do sometimes. This was the big thing that my boss kept harping on. None of the work I did mattered. None of the milestones or money earned mattered, it was just a tie. Who gives feedback on ties?
Anyways, a tie k–led my job !
I was annoyed at first but I reminded myself quickly that it's just a job. There are way more important things in life than a job.
I went through the same thing. Didn’t want a career here, but was let go in July after not receiving any negative previous feedback. It just felt so... wrong, unfair, and made me angry at the sleaziness of it all. The best advice I can give is to focus on finding an organization with a great culture. Can’t see what Exxon did happening now and it’s a great feeling
Thank you for sharing. It will takes some time to refocus. This time is unusually tough because of the COVID situation. Stay positive and lean on faith, friends and family. I was forced to retired after 30+ years and struggle with the "injustice" for weeks. Finally, I had to learn to let the bitterness go. All the best for a new beginning for you.
Yes, it is hard to get over when you were planning to retire - had a similar mindset and understand you completely. I wish you go through this "getting lost" stage quickly and feel happier and more satisfied with a new company than with XOM. Unfortunately, we all need to learn how to be not too attached to XOM.
Hey buddy, I’m sorry to hear that. Take some time off when you can after you leave. It’s been a challenging year and you deserve it.
Amen. With Darren Woods.. what do you expect?