"I was XTO and was in similar situation when we got bought in 2010. They will likely keep your pay/benefits same for a year post-close. Then they will convert you to the XOM comp/benefits structure. Your base pay will almost certainly grow (likely substantially) to account for your delta in base pay averages compared to XOM workers, higher benefits costs, etc. You’ll get good 401k matching, and then the pension is solid (especially for younger/mid-career employees…. And assuming we keep it long-term). As
Someone who has been through this before, you’ll be happy with the pay/benefits. It will all work out financially. From a work-life balance perspective, half the company bounces after lunch on Fridays. Will it be as ‘family oriented’ as you have now? Nah. Again, having worked at XTO, there were limited opps for promotions there because you had smaller work groups with people who stayed 30-35 years and promoted within departments. You’ll have more opportunities to advance, bounce around, etc. Will it be tough? Yep. Will you enjoy it? Depend on your perspective? Are there politics? Yep (just like you already have). Does our assessment process su-k? Yep. Will it destroy your career? Nah. Relax, go with the flow, don’t fight it too much if you want to stay on and have a good career. Cheers!"
The grass is green where you grow it and it is looking like great conditions in the soil.