I am so bored, it is driving me nuts. I have enough saved to last a few years. Not with Chevron long enough to get any decent severance. It is the lack of finding any meaningful work that gets me angry. I am either too old, or have a specialized professional background in oil exploration that no one understands, or I was earning too much at my previous employer or whatever. This retirement lifestyle Is for multi millionaires or the infirmed. No offense. I am too old to wait around and hope for a speedy industry recovery. Anyone else as bored as I am?
53 replies (most recent on top)
Visit Asia specifically Thailand, Indonesia or the Phils.
Still very resonoble but wait for November for cooler weather.
You may just decide to stay there.
Time to enjoy after all those years of Chevron bs
I am volunteering in the school system and for a couple other non-profits. I didn't get bored until the 8 month mark. It takes a while to find your post work purpose and decide where to spend your energy. Unless you have more retirement income than I do, you can't just travel the world at will.
I was checking LinkedIn and found many coworkers from previous companies are out of work. I started randomly checking other people that show up on the right hand side of the page and many of them are out of work. The age ranges from late 20's to early 60's. This is like the black plague of the oil industry. So sad that this is happening. Literally thousands of years of accumulated knowledge and experience flushed out of the industry. The bad part of losing your job is that many other companies will not hire oil professionals because of the correct assumption that these people will leave to go back if given the opportunity. It is a real stigma.
I was RIFed at age 59. I have 15 years of high wage earning. I'm not washed up, and neither are you.
There's way too many different things you could be doing with your time off. If you are bored and can't think of anything "meaningful" to do, then that's on you. The problem might be that you have put yourself in a box for most of your working life and still don't know how to think outside of it.
61? Heres what you do, go to your doctor and get some viagra and go do some exploration drilling. You'll find it meaningful and rewarding. Life isn't about money, its about getting laid, by a woman. As far as work? You got 2 years and you can draw social security, go get on it and ride that donkey.
I do have a McJob, @4rxz. I own 3 McDonald franchises. Wife and I got into the business 7 years ago. Now that I'm retired and with great managers running the day to day operations, the wife and I can travel and enjoy life. Are you surprised? I know you are.
What about me, @4rxz, Can I feed my deadwood kids some leftovers? They are butthurt over this. i would rather not work at that Mickey-D's with that gay dude who cheats on his wife with a gay male lover posting below about male genitalia, though. That's all I ask. I would rather not be associated with immoral people who not only cheat on their wives, but cheat with a gay dude. That's nasty!!
I am also involuntarily retired. I generally enjoyed working in the oil industry, but do not overly miss working at Chevron. It was not bad, per say, as i have worked at some really bad and abusive places. Some chevron examples are strange cult-like environment, nearly everyone carrying back backs, the micro breaks and work breaks, the tattle tale BBS reports. No one in my work area ever socialized with each other, everyone went to lunch by themselves or just ate lunch in their glass cage, only leaving for a smoke or bathroom break. A complete lack of real leadership and sense of belonging to a team. Only meetings with spreadsheets and PowerPoints discussing action items, opportunities, takeaways, metrics, goals and follow-up meetings. The pressure not to deviate from the prevailing group think. The constant PC police and threat of an anonymous complaint filed against you. I can clearly remember the old days of the 70's and 80's when everything was so different. No, I am not talking about racism or sexism which did exist back then. Those in their 60's know what I mean. I guess Chevron is just another example of the new normal in corporate America. It sucks being unemployed, but there is a part of me that feels so free and liberated. My current situation is my problem to deal with. I am not casting blame.
Must have hit close to the mark, eh deadwood -3rlf? Don't worry, you'll get a McJob soon enough after your severance check is paid. Then you can feed your deadwood kids the leftovers from the restaurant.
I'm retired too. My business model is inspired by Chevron's. I will provide community engagement promotions to oil companies like the one Chevron did in PA after the deadly explosion -- free pizza coupons! I plan to present a PowerPoint to BP executives. Imagine the goodwill they could have built by handing out food coupons to the families of those killed in the Deepwater Horizon explosion and the businesses ruined by the infamous oil slick.
@3stq, just look at yourself in the mirror and ask. Not convinced, ask the people that you think are your your friends. Leave a hidden tape recorder behind in the room after you leave, then come back to get your real answer.
Lots of bottom feeding deadwood on here crying and sniveling. You need to accept the fact that you aren't good enough for this company and get out. Typical entitlement whores with their arrogance. The only way we make Chevron better is cutting these idiots. What was the company thinking employing people who are mediocre to begin with?
In case you missed that... I said DICK-HEAD and FAG-GOT. Some of the simpletons out there need it spelled out for them.
No, you gullible dic---ad. I'm admitting on a public forum that I'm not a gay little f----t like you.
@HoL5Bmq-3ekc, So you are admitting on a public forum that you are a deadbeat husband who commits adultery, cheats on his wife and you are not only living in sin but betraying your commitment to a person that you swore to, which is not only lack of religious faith, but lack of any shred of morality, decency or dignity. Next time keep it to yourself. There is enough depression on this site.
You are so far off the mark, @3opu. No boyfriends, only girlfriends. And I've got to keep them hidden from the wife. Any tips would be appreciated.
Congratulations, @HoL5Bmq-3hmp, All that you need now is a boyfriend for your innermost desires, and some medicine for your ED so that you can actually have a life! !!LMAO!!
I'm happy to hear you don't need to go back to work, @3jnq. I'm 59 years old and am in the same boat. I could have gladly stayed working for Chevron another 3 years, but now that I'm out, I have no need to work again. Everything paid off, nice annuity and rental property income coming in, three late model vehicles in my garage, low premium Obamacare policy working well for me and no need to touch my 401k or IRA. Retirement is sweet. It took a year to get used to it, but now that it's here, it's great. Looking forward to Social Security at age 62. Why wait? So, for you guys and gals still at Chevron... GET BACK TO WORK and fund my pension.
Well, I EOI'd at 63 and still am o. Payroll for another month so it's kinda like I'm on vacation; a long one but I'm not bored. Working on catch up around the house and yard and its tKing a lot longer to catch up that I thought. Of course I'm working at a slower pace too. Not even thinking about going back to work. Too stressful.
Make the best of it, @3rfv. Don't worry so much about finding a job right away. To be honest, at our age, it's best to have a job find us. Relax, enjoy life at a slow pace, and sleep in late. Within a year or so, your heart will guide you in the right direction. That's what I did. Today at 60 and after being laid off a year ago, I found a job as a dispatcher working at an industrial warehouse. Easy work in an air conditioned office just pushing paper for $2400/mo.
Consultants are pricey overhead in a low commodity environment. Maybe true over the last 10 years, but I see few openings in the future. $50 - $60 oil will only slowdown or stop the losses and layoffs. Screw it, I am just going to eat at cheap buffets and go to bars near me with the best happy hour. I am single and the kids are grown. Yeah, it may not be very healthy, but I have personally known 6+ coworkers during my working years who died from a heart attack. Work stress is real and now I don't have that problem - only boredom.
3cfp, no, that's true. I've seen people in their 60s and 70s (and maybe 80s) hired as contractor consultants. Things are slow now, but just keep looking, keep your options open, and stay positive. There will be work again to go around for everyone--who wants to work.
Don't hold your breath on that one. It will take 1-2 years for this industry to get back to serious hiring mode. When it does, it will be college grads and people up to their late 40's to early 50's who will get most of the jobs. If you are 60+, you might as well consider your career to be over. What a crappy way to go out. It is always more satisfying to leave on your own terms, not those of some bean counter up in corporate.
I agree with the OP. I retired at 63 and am bored. If it was up to me I would work until the wheeled me out. Hopefully the price will recover and I can work again.
Abolish H1B and H4 visas. It's a corrupt system.
Petition2congress.com Sign the petition to abolish H1-B visas and H4 visas - 7637/abolish-h1b-visa-program/view/
Indians are taking jobs away from Americans. Greedy big corporations are opting for cheap overseas labor and replacing American workers by handing out these visas. It's a corrupt system and it must be stopped!
Great. You can hire 2 laid off chevron people who are not ready to go to the retirement pasture.
I started a small manufacturing business 6 months ago with an investment of $60,000. It was an idea I've had for a few years and finally went for it after sitting around the house for several months with nothing to do. I set up a small shop at a Business Park in Houston and hired 2 trained workers. My wife and I run the business and do all the boxing and shipping. After breaking even since we started, we will finally post a profit for the first time this month. This week, the business landed a $80,000 order from Costco and I'm in the works to secure a $125,000 order from Lowe's. I'm getting ready to hire 2 more workers this month with the expectation to double or triple output in less than 9 months. I can't tell anyone yet what it is I manufacture, but once it takes off at Costco and Lowe's, I'll be free to advertise it nationally.
If uve been retired early- do what my financial advisor suggests. Drink alcohol 24/7 ur problems go away u die in 5-10 years shot liver no financial worries
I wish there was a 'like' button on this forum. I agree with everything you say and suggest.
have fun you never know when you checking into that big platform in the sky. I have been riding a mechanical bull. never rode one before it was a blast. go play volleyball with your grand kids and they only have 3 that's playing and they have you running all over the place chasing the ball. life is what you make of it. main thing is enjoying the family. I joined the Facebook sight for retirees from all the previous companies Gulf, Texaco, Tennaco, etc. just about all the post there is when someone passes away. so sad.....
OP, getting laid off stinks. You could be depressed. See your doctor. Get more exercise. Eat healthy. Go to church. Call family or friends who care about you. Do something nice for someone else. Forget about Chevron.
I am also 61 and selected the EOI. I am bored playing golf, riding my Harley, going to ballgames, and doing what I want to do, when I want to do it after 43 years in the oil industry, 31 with Chevron..........yea right! I am loving it and might go to work after the summer, I already have job prospects, but sure am enjoying the retirement life. After all that is what we all work for as we are fortunate to be able to retire. The next generation will probably not have that option. When I croak I will not remember what I done in the oilfield, only my family will be on my mind!
Write a book covering peak oil and tour the globe giving presentations, 60 Minutes interview w/ Lara Logan.
Start a spill recovery biz, recycle the tar mats into school playground surface, duffel bags of thank you notes scrawled in crayon. Speech at the UN Assembly on sustainable energy and recess.
Maybe I was scammed, but still, I have a "look alike" cabin in the woods with a shotgun in each window and a fifth one trained at the fireplace. You've been warned. Don't come a-knockin'.
Actually, you got scammed. The original Unabomber cabin is on display at the Newseum in Washington DC. You must have been sold a phony :-)
I'm getting far away from the oil business and the annoying society. I purchased the Unabomber, Theodore "Ted" Kacznski's old cabin in the woods to retire in. Don't come a-knockin' as I have a loaded shotgun in all 4 windows and another aimed at the fireplace.
I have a hard time just sitting around and relaxing. I like having a job and the dignity of work. Retirement is not all fun and games like you are led to believe. It is more than money - it is being busy and productive at something you enjoy. Perpetual welfare recipients are losers. Most of us here got the early boot from a very unstable industry. It is tough to work your assoff for 30+ years and strive to be successful to end up being cut because you are too old and earn too much. It is true that it takes a few months to adjust from working to being home every day. Right now, I am still in mental professional mode and will have to change my mental state to something more service sector oriented. You know, there are many people who die within a few years of retirement because of lack of purpose in their lives. I am not going to be one of them.
"It is the lack of finding any meaningful work that gets me angry. " I thought to be the case -- until I found out that unpaid volunteer work such as serving at a food bank was very meaningful. I have not done so, but a neighbor suggested volunteering to tutor at schools would be great. Seriously, the layoff -- which is none of our fault -- and I suspect Chevron would pay for it in the long term -- can make us appreciate work that appears non-meaningful initially. Get a garden going. Go fishing. Or as another poster says, move to a town / place where people are much nicer!
The US economy was transformed in the past two decades or so from production economy to services economy (blame politicians, decision-makers, democracy, whatever). Services economies require low-pay workers in retail & marketing, food sale & processing, etc. (clerks, salesperson, Uber drivers, "gigers"). Welcome to the new economy (and farewell to middle-class communities).