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TransAlta Reviews
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Full-timePart-timeApprove of CEO
Dawn Farrell
67 Ratings
Pros
"Lots of great people that work within the company" (in 12 reviews)
"Promotion and support of good work/life balance" (in 6 reviews)
Cons
"Upper management not well-liked as you can see from other reviews" (in 10 reviews)
"Company does not do anything about incredibly high turnover" (in 5 reviews)
Helpful (9)
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"Viewing it from the other side of the glass"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Positive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
Most people who write reviews on sites like Glassdoor are those disgruntled because of layoffs or personal issues with their supervisors. The truth is those of us who are happy about our place of work never take the time to share the other side of the story.
I have been with TransAlta for 4 years now. In the past 25 years, my career has taken me to all four corners of the globe working on sustainable development projects. I have had the privilege to be mentored by some of the greatest professionals around. Yet, I don't remember ever working for a more innovative, progressive company than TransAlta Corporation.
Not one or two, but three of the supervisors I've worked with in this company have taken the time to make sure I'm involved in projects I find meaningful. The level of trust is one of the highest I have ever encountered and ideas and suggestions are listened to and followed on.
Most of the people I work with work hard because they feel respected and appreciated.
Lately, the Management Team in the Company has involved us all in a culture-changing exercise; and the results have been outstanding. A positive attitude is contagious and ours is spreading rapidly.
I truly look forward to the rest of my career here, and I know of many others who feel the same way about TransAlta.Cons
No company is perfect but this one comes really close
Advice to Management
Keep involving the key innovators in the process of bringing this company to new heights. Some of the best ideas come from front-line employees.
TransAlta 2017-11-03 12:58 PDTHelpful (7)
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"A disaster of a company"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than 5 years)
Pros
I can't think of any other positive point about being here than the chance to work with a handful of experienced employees who know the sector really well. For some inexplicable reason, TransAlta has managed to hire some of the amazing talent pool the company has. They never last long enough though.
Cons
With a couple of exceptions, the entire management team at TransAlta should be fired. They confuse leadership with micromanaging and bossing people around while never being there for them. Every manager "manages up" instead of being there for their teams. The mentality of the upper ranks is behind by decades. No matter how good you are, somebody else ends up taking credit for it and you get NO recognition. It is a real miracle this company is still around. I can't think of a single coworker I have spoken with lately who isn't looking for a new job.
Advice to Management
Why is the Board of Directors allowing the management team at TransAlta to destroy such a long-lasting Alberta company year after year? Maybe the Board needs to be fired as well.
TransAlta 2018-11-08 07:01 PSTHelpful (8)
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"For Prospective Applicants/Employees"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than a year)
Pros
Build your resume.
Paycheck for student loans, rent, food and entertainment.
Inexperienced staff receive same vacations & benefits as experienced veterans. Cannot think of anything else.Cons
Compensation is good but up to 20% less than oil, gas and pipeline companies.
Fewer power employers than oil & gas means less industry movement.
Negativity, dysfunction and morale problems are pervasive.
In sum I dont recommend Transalta to peers and urge them do their industry and employer research as they should do for a residence, vehicle or vacation. Transalta corporate culture and people dynamic doesn't meet the values & principles learned and cultivated by my parents and educators nor enables me to optimize career goals so I am actively looking to leave.Advice to Management
Advice is focused to prospective applicants
TransAlta 2018-09-14 09:49 PDTHelpful (7)
![TransAlta Logo]()
"Power Imbalance"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than 10 years)
Pros
it’s a larger company with a 100+ year history in alberta and although never as popular and lucrative as the premium brands it was a normal, stable and a pleasant environment for a 3-star rating before new ceo in 2012. the results of shareholder's 2017 special advisory vote denouncing management's pay for performance could inspire positive change.
Cons
aside from glassdoor themes the most striking contrast would be the undignified behavior of some senior management including ceo after her promotion. ranging from unprofessional to offensive and sometimes unlawful. behaviours that would have consequences outside employment environment. the bad are now gone plus some good ones but the ceo remains (is there a ceo of a public canadian company with a glassdoor rating as low as dawn ferrell?).
Advice to Management
ediquette, dignity, respect, humility and boundaries.
TransAlta 2018-10-14 06:46 PDTHelpful (3)
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"Stay away"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at TransAlta full-time (Less than a year)
Pros
You collect a paycheck and hours of work are ok
Cons
Constant layoffs
No job satisfaction
Wages are extremely low
Poor staff and company culture
Inexperienced management making poor decisionsAdvice to Management
Need to value your employees and not treat them poor. Mentor young managers because they lack empathy and experience,
TransAlta 2018-10-11 08:18 PDTHelpful (2)
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"Analystis"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNo opinion of CEOI have been working at TransAlta full-time
Pros
Nice place to work, good salary
Cons
changes, changes, changes, changes everyday
TransAlta 2018-08-17 11:35 PDT![TransAlta Logo]()
"treat people as expendable"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookDisapproves of CEOI worked at TransAlta full-time (More than a year)
Pros
great place to learn about Alberta electricity industry
Cons
people are constantly being fired, its a tough place to work, you never feel secure there
Advice to Management
more transparency, respect for employees, make people feel safe
TransAlta 2018-09-18 18:53 PDTHelpful (4)
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"Management totally inept"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than 8 years)
Pros
Pay check every 2 weeks
Cons
Old school and “Old Boys Club” mentality.
Production and KPI’s take precedence over safety. CEO lost all credibility with me long ago by putting out a useless weekly blog and asks how to wear sunglasses....yes it’s true! HR Dept. is useless. Poor communication at management level, they just don’t listen. Good people at the trades-person level.Advice to Management
WAKE UP! CEO NEEDS TO GO.
TransAlta 2018-08-13 08:05 PDTHelpful (3)
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"Manager"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than 8 years)
Pros
Excellent Salary
More than enoughTime off
Flex ScheduleCons
Hypocritical Leadership
Lack Direction
Cumbersome and slow process / proceduresTransAlta 2018-06-22 08:04 PDTHelpful (4)
![TransAlta Logo]()
"Don’t Do It"
StarStarStarStarStar- Work/Life Balance
- Culture & Values
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than 8 years)
Pros
Some really smart, kind people work here
Cons
Cut throat management, it’s all about them and who cares about the people actually doing the work. People are managed by fear.
Advice to Management
Change the Executive as culture won’t change until they are gone.
TransAlta 2018-07-23 04:50 PDT
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