Relocate, resign or retire: Exxon Mobil HQ staffers face tough decision by July 2023

Many of Exxon Mobil Corp.’s corporate staff in Irving face a difficult decision — take a relocation package and move to the Houston area, retire or walk away from one of the country’s biggest companies without severance. Since Exxon’s surprise announcement Monday that it’s moving its headquarters, the oil and gas giant has been holding meetings this week with its 250 employees in finance, strategic planning, human resources, law, public and government affairs and C-suite roles. “Relocate or resign” was an Exxon leader’s response to an employee question about whether severance or retention bonuses would be paid to workers willing to stay until the relocation occurs in July 2023 but who aren’t willing to move, according to several employees who attended various meetings. The employees spoke with The News on condition of anonymity to protect their jobs. They also shared an internal email addressing the relocation but said the company hasn’t put anything in writing on severance.

Exxon spokesman Casey Norton said the “relocate or resign” characterization isn’t correct. “In some cases, we understand employees may not want to relocate to Houston,” Norton said in an email Friday to The News. “There may be severance packages or retirement eligibility options to some employees, based on their personal circumstances.” He previously had told The News that the company will offer severance to a “small number of employees” who aren’t being offered relocation benefits. He declined to say how many employees that included. “We continue to communicate with employees about the relocation packages and the flexibility available to them,” he said. “Some employees may elect to retire or pursue other career opportunities. ...It is our hope that the employees will review the relocation package and remain with the company.” Norton said employees can relocate as soon as this month or remain in Irving through mid-2023, giving them “nearly 18 months to discuss the options with their families.” Under the Texas Payday Law, employers are only required to pay severance if it’s part of a written policy. But companies often do so to soften the blow of involuntary termination and to avoid future lawsuits by having employees sign a release in exchange for severance, according to the Society of Human Resource Management.