Thread regarding ExxonMobil Corp. layoffs

This last response is so typical someone losing an argument...

@6fux - whatever, dude. You didn’t work with them, hit you’re also not not worth any more of my time

Item (1) was never in question. The demarcation at 10 years however seems arbitrary. I don’t follow how/why it was quantified in the way that it was.

Item (2) seems subjective. Things like “lazy” and “clueless” are also pejorative and not easily quantified or objectively verified.

Item (3) appears to focus more on the gender of the individual and less on their qualifications or performance. Taken with other comments signed with the same handle, I’ve deduced that this is most likely your primary issue with this person.

@5opq - the points are:

1. Experience gives you knowledge and the ability to solve a range of problems across disciplines.

2. The people I saw promoted into these positions were lazy and clueless when I worked with them. I have no reason to think they changed.

3. The woman who ended up in Houston and Dallas told everyone that she had a PhD in Chemical Modelling. If there is no such subject at PhD level, that undermines her credentials, not mine. Do you know for certain that there is no such subject at the PhD level?

“It used to be if you worked hard you gradually progressed up the technical ladder to positions of more responsibility and visibility”

This is a very boomer-centric way of looking at this problem. It’s been a long time since any US-based corporate employer has offered anything close to this.

There is some situational irony to be found in the fact that the age cohort most responsible for eviscerating the social contract appears to be the most upset that it no longer exists to protect their interests.

“Less than 10 years of experience”

What would they have gained by doing the scope of activities for 15 years as opposed to 9 years that would have better qualified them in your mind? I personally haven’t noticed much difference between 5 and 15 years of experience other than the degree of repetition. Many technical problems only come up once or twice in a person’s career. I don’t follow your reasoning.

There’s no such thing as a “PhD in chemical modeling”. Maybe you’re confusing the designation of the credential with the thesis topic.

Yep - over promotion of inexperienced employees was one reason I got out of there. i remember 4 technologists with less than 10 years experience, who being promoted into “Global Advisor” and “Global Brand Manager” roles. Roles that used to require 15-20 years of deep technical and business experience.

I had worked withI each of them for 2-3 years and I know they are nothing special. I assume that they are just considered HiPo’s, so doors are opened for them.

The worst one though was a PhD in chemical modelling. She was turned down by Clinton when she first applied, so she contacted the Paulsboro lab manager (a friend of the family), came in to see him and turned on the water works. She got a job offer and bounced around the Lube Sections as their “modelling” contact. She didn’t have a clue about modelling, statistics of basic chemistry. Yet she went up the ladder quickly and now is something big in the Fuels Business (after assignments in Houston and Dallas).

The company is doomed!

@OP Not all experienced employees are created equal.

Some began their careers with strong qualifications, met difficult challenges, and evolved/updated their skills to keep up with technological and businesses changes. These people are worth what they’re paid and in some cases more. They’re also in the minority.

Unfortunately, most “experienced” employees became complacent and have spent years coasting and doing the bare minimum. Many lack basic computer skills. Few have adapted to cultural changes (note that I said “adapted” and not “accepted”). They may not be causing harm, but they’re not adding value either. They should move on.

Any age haters here? With no shame too! What goes around, comes around. Tread lightly!

40. 5 yrs of old n bitter.

Can’t change. Won’t change.

I luv Exxon

2fyw+1l2gitny

What does it matter if I'm retired. Doesn't stop me from posting here.

Nice try.
Stalk much?
Bet you are on the clock posting here.

I don't think it's realistic to expect your raise to continue the way it is earlier in your career when the abse was lower. Also tbf, while I saw lots of good experienced senior folks, there are just as many bad senior folks who are not willing to grow, progress or adapt. Stuck in their own way and dragging the rest of the team. Just like there are many senior folks who are very knowledgeable and continue adapting to new technology.

40. 5, in another post you said you were already retired.

Putting these two threads together, it seems like you’re the old and bitter. If I could place a wager I’d guess you got PIP’d out and never let it go. You should.

Wait till you turn 55.
Ranking goes down.
Pay raises suck. If you get one at all.
Then comes the PIP.
That's when you can say kiss my rear.

Don’t worry, all the technical folks don’t do well in rankings anyway … the quickest way to drop (further) in the rankings is to be an exec level technical contributor…..so that 10 year employee will find their way to the bottom of the rank list quicker than you might think. I

Re: 1hwm+1l2gitny - it certainly is the norm. If you are an experienced hire - you are an anomaly. Most employees were hired from college. Look around at entry level management positions or development positions. How old are those people? What experience do they have to justify getting that role? What positions do people with decades of experience have? They aren't even in technical lead roles.

@1wkl+1l2gitny This response gives a lot of insight on the validity of info and opinions on this site. Mostly folks sharing in misery through pessimistic propaganda vs fact sharing. Thank you.

@1hwm+1l2gitny Kathy, your comments are irrelevant as this topic does not apply to those in Irving.

Same goes for experienced technical people at BMT, unless you know how to play the political system. Pretty much all the talented technical depth is gone due to the demoralization process that has taken place.

I’m an experienced hire and this is not my experience in any way. I’m sure it happens but it’s certainly not the rule.

Boo hoo. They treat everyone except bootlickers like trash

I am more or less agree with @1okp+1l2gitny, but my recommendation will be: stay and do it like you are training people, but don't do it.

Most of the hi-pos are copying stuff off the internet and pilfering work from vendors or coworkers . Passing it off as their own to feed up the chain.

Future of leadership at EM.

If you are an experienced employee who feel you were sidelined by frauds and toxic supervisors, why do you stick around? Why do you continue to support these individuals in their climb up while they disrespect you?

Just leave. No amount of money is worth the disrespect and the mental abuse. The job market is still good.

And of course when it comes ranking time - you have little to show because you weren't given anything that mattered. Which is what they want - to push the older employees down in the ranking.

Cheaper labor

I'm 100% being subjected to the strategy above, just nothing of any value being available for 25y yeae+ employees.

If you think that’s bad, come to BR and work for a psychotic wench that is clueless and demoralizes everyone. I’ve seen her in her manager natural habitat though and she’s so meek and mild around other managers and her handlers. The most toxic, sickening and dangerous person I have ever met in my life

@fbu+1l2gitny:

So sideline the existing experienced employees? This has nothing to do with fast tracking hipos - they have been doing that for decades. This is an extreme - give clearly unqualified young employees good positions and have more experienced employees report to them.

I'm not an apologist for EM, but one explanation might be that management id's these early career employes as fitting their mold and to fill the bimodal distribution they created with the PIP off. These are our future leaders folks.