I got notified yesterday morning and my boss has set up a few transition meetings over the next 2 weeks until I'm officially done. Obviously I don't feel like going to any of those but can I sc--w myself by not? Could they terminate me with cause? I will help people who I respect who treated me well but this boss is definitely not one of them
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To the original poster I would add that no matter what the duration of the meeting transition meetings scheduled by your boss are, set a hard limit of 30 minutes per event. Your job now is to find another job (hint: there aren't any). There is nothing wrong with giving them the 30,000 foot overview. They should know the value you provide. If they try to have you encapsulate everything you do, well...that's on them
I inherited some teams as a manager and the outgoing leadership completely blew me off. Two weeks later I found out one of the leaders was rehired at 3M for a different position. Complete clown show and an example of how mediocre HR is at 3M
Participate, but don't do them any favors. Provide high level information, leave out the details. Ride the fine line to get your severance.
Reminder that no files placed on jump drives will be usable. All encrypted now. Email them to your home email as files. Best of luck.
One VERY important detail is DO NOT wait until "day 15" to finish downloading files, transferring emails to personal accounts, etc. Plan on having every important file/doc/email transferred no later than day 13. Give yourself at least a 24 hour buffer. I've seen people have their network and facilities access pulled shortly after midnight on day 15. They really don't want you doing anything more than dropping off your badge and electronics that final day.
I used day 14 as my final day & turned in my stuff. A colleague went in on 15 and had to be let in by Security (our boss had pre-approved). He had system access until about lunch and then was locked out.
Go out the door like you came in the door , it serves you no goodwill to go out on a bad note. You are NOT defined by the job you have at 3M. You are much more than 3M.
Most of the comments here are really good advice. I would add to insist on a documented exit interview, preferably with a witness. Hr at 3m is devoid of honesty and integrity so thats why documenting it is important.
I specifically asked this question and was told the terms of your severance require you to participate in the transition. If you do not, technically, they could withhold your severance payout. I attended the meetings and did the minimum to pacify them.
How you go out is how you enter. It’s impossible to pass through a doorway angry and enter with joy into the next room.
Never lose sight of the fact that how you exit may be the last thing anyone remembers about your tenure at 3M. You can undo decades of excellent, prideful work by giving into the emotions of the moment.
My boss encouraged me to spend my time preparing my resume, getting references, and doing everything I could to make my transition easier for me, not him. And I spent a good deal of time doing just that. He gave me a bit of an earful--but was appreciative and touched--when he saw that I spent an entire weekend creating a transition file on One Drive where I deposited as many important documents, job aides, etc, as I could. I've already had several people who have inherited parts of my duties text me with sincere appreciation.
Everyone's situation is different. My last boss was the best I'd had in my 35 year career. I might not have done as much had this happened under a number of other supervisors, but in the end it was important for me to walk out the door on the last day knowing that my principles were intact, and it was 3M's leadership that had failed.
Don't be too defiant. The terms of your severance can be invoked. Just be quiet, nod your head, do as little work as possible.
I know you and 6000 other people would live to flip off 3M but you can do that by joining a competitor and smoking them. Then come back here in a year or two when the company is broken up and gloat.
I was up front with my boss about it when I was notified (back in April) and unloaded all of my files into a public folder and focused on getting things done. You have a lot to work on before you lose access - focus on that. They will not terminate you if you are polite and professional about it. Don't add this stress on to your pile.