I find that every year and day it is getting harder and harder to go in to exxon. When Covid struck I was able to work from home a lot. Then our boss decreed return to office. When I returned everything was different and the people were different as well. Employees are much more indifferent and solitary now. No one talks to each other and there little comradery that was present before is now gone. The other thing is that many of my old friends are gone due to the layoffs and constant PIPs. The people are so unfriendly and I don t trust anyone.
I hate the place I work at now. I lock myself in any empty office I can find and avoid any contact with anyone. It is like solitary confinement. I cant retire for a few years but hope I don t lose my mind by then. I don't think I am the only one because I see others doing the same hiding out in an office. I even hate the zoom meetings because of all the smart as--s acting stupid kissing a sses to the bosses. I am sure my ranking is suffering because of my isolation. I dream of escape and freedom.
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Good OP. I have observed exactly the same trend over the last 5 years. I mitigate that by just switching off and coasting, the company has no team spirit or community and so I view this purely as transactional and just take the salary. Effort minimized just to avoid too much incremental aggravation.
You’re not alone. There are many, many people in Houston with this same attitude and way of working.
Yes it is all about how strong the boss is and how they are liked by the managers. Aggressive supervisors that are favored by the managers protect their people. They also get their people the best raises and promotions.
Exxon = Mental Hospital
I have worked in other places and have never seen any place like this. No one is accountable for anything and all results are just for q ranking session. No one have a long term view. My boss on my last review said “no one in our department agrees with your ranking result” WTF so this means that even if you do an out standing job and you have a horrible job boss that can’t talk on your behalf you are in a risk. Hate this place.
Yes it is good to have something to do after the he-l of exxon. I will either volunteer a few days a week or do nothing at all. Something will come up so don t worry. I was amazed by the oldies that said exxon was their life and they had nothing else to do. It was like the were used to prison and did not want to escape. They were conditioned and brainwashed.
Once you are away you will feel much better trust me. I was always trying to break out of prison and not stay.
Well, things were spinning round me
And all my thoughts were cloudy
And I had begun to doubt all the things that were me.
Been in so many places
You know I've run so many races
And looked into the empty faces of the people of the night
And something is just not right
'Cause I know that I gotta get out of here
I'm so alone
Don't you know that I gotta get out of here
'Cause, New York's not my home
Though all the streets are crowded
There's something strange about it
I lived there about a year and I never once felt at home
I thought I'd make the big time
I learned a lot of lessons awful quick
And now I'm telling you
That they were not the nice kind
And it's been so long since I have felt fine
That's the reason that I gotta get out of here
I'm so alone
Don't you know that I gotta get out of here
'Cause New York's not my home
Once XOM decided to buy Denbury, I found it much harder to go to work each day. At the end of April (when our pro-rated Denbury bonus paid out), I decided to retire (just short of age 60). Fortunately, I had something to pursue (my songwriting):
http://www.davidpennybaker.com
Preach