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TransAlta Reviews
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    TransAlta Reviews

    Updated 20 May, 2017
    94 reviews

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    Full-time Part-time
    2.0
    Star Star Star Star Star
    Rating Trends Rating Trends
    Recommend to a friend
    Approve of CEO
    TransAlta President & CEO Dawn Farrell
    Dawn Farrell
    45 Ratings

    94 Employee Reviews

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    Pros
    Cons

    • Upper management personnel continuously changing roles/departments (in 7 reviews)

    • Company does not provide training for jobs, will hire you for a job, but no training to use there systems or how things are done (in 4 reviews)

    More Pros and Cons

    1. "Interesting work but appears sometimes a bit 'dusty'"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Calgary, AB
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Calgary, AB
      Neutral Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I worked at TransAlta full-time (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      Interesting business environment. Lots of opportunities to take on different roles (if you know the right people). Stable business (although market gets tougher).

      Cons

      Internal procedures and leadership style a bit 'dusty' (well, it is an old company). A tendency to rely on external resources to fill open positions and to provide advice instead of relying on internal know-how.

      Advice to Management

      Be open to change and try new (unconventional) ideas.

    2. "Dissention"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Calgary, AB
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Calgary, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than 10 years)

      Pros

      100yr history; Friendly people; Newgrad program; TransAlta Renewables; Australia growth.

      Cons

      Regulatory fines; Dividend cuts; Debt rating; Preferred share scam; Constant reorganizations; Employee relations; Negative morale; Promotion criteria; Constructive dismissals; Ongoing layoffs; Manager resignations; Wage freeze; Pension cut; Vacation cut; Training cut; Parking fees; Old systems; IT applications; Coal plants; Carbon legislation; Project execution; CEO belittling; CFO integrity; Building Cafeteria.

      Advice to Management

      Listen and understand what employees say.

    3. "Coal is dead"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Power Plant Operator in Sundance, AB
      Current Employee - Power Plant Operator in Sundance, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      Pros

      Close to home, opportunity to get steam time and get out

      Cons

      Mis managed with no accountability

      4. Is this helpful? The community relies on everyone sharing – Add Anonymous Review

    4. "TransAlta Review"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - SAP Enterprise Portal Consultant in Calgary, AB
      Former Employee - SAP Enterprise Portal Consultant in Calgary, AB

      I worked at TransAlta (More than 3 years)

      Pros

      TransAlta is a good company which provides wide platform for learning and growth.

      Cons

      Monotonous technologies and lesser onsite opportnities.

    5. "Systems Analyst"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Systems Analyst in Calgary, AB
      Former Employee - Systems Analyst in Calgary, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at TransAlta (More than 8 years)

      Pros

      The best time to work was when I joined in 2006 and was appreciated to work on SAP Portal Projects

      Cons

      Replacing Canadian employees with companies from India, not a good idea. Outsourcing to a local company in Canada is acceptable.

      Advice to Management

      The Leadership should have a positive vision and think about local population first, cause bringing staff from overseas has really not improved the reputation of the company.

    6. "Sinking ship"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Edmonton, AB
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Edmonton, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at TransAlta full-time

      Pros

      Challenging work and good coworkers

      Cons

      Very poor management that's too focused on other things. This job use to be good but the economy turned and the company took every opportunity to take advantage of the workers by cutting pension, days off, no raises, etc. hard work is expected with little or no recognition. But those people who do little work or barely contribute are not punished at all and continue to get away with it

      Advice to Management

      Do the complete opposite of what your doing and chances are you would finally make some good choices. Be ready for when things in the province turnaround cause there's guna be a mass exodus of your good staff

    7. "In dire need of an overhaul"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Sundance, AB
      Current Employee - Anonymous Employee in Sundance, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I have been working at TransAlta (More than 8 years)

      Pros

      Comparatively good benefits although recently cut, good work life balance and opportunities to learn. Realization in the upper ranks of the need for drastic changes to turn things around.

      Cons

      Overall toxic work environment characterized by severe mistrust and micro-management. Inconsistent policies and favoritism. Stalled promotions and employee growth. Use of bullying and temper tantrums by immediate leadership instead of professional competency.

      Definitely not an employer of choice at this time.

    8. Helpful (3)

      "Need a shot of integrity"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Current Employee - Leader in Wabamun, AB
      Current Employee - Leader in Wabamun, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I have been working at TransAlta full-time (More than 10 years)

      Pros

      Some very talented employees who conduct themselves with integrity. Good opportunity to apply for jobs in other geographic locations. Communication company wide is strong. Female affirmative action is alive and well. Strong diversity. Lots of opportunity to learn. Salaries are very good but no raises for past few years.

      Cons

      Company reputation with regulators has taken a hit. Promotion is stalled. Upper management personnel continuously changing roles/departments. Hiring 'mates' for senior leadership at coal plants who are disrespectful to suppliers, partners and employees. Use bullying, rudeness and temper tantrum tactics instead of professional competency. Pension and paid time off reduced. As people leave/laid off, work is pushed downward and becoming unsustainable. Many employees want out but are stuck due to poor job market.

      Advice to Management

      Hire leaders who have a integrity and genuinely care for employees while attaining business goals - it is possible. They need to set the example, not dictate it and then throw a profanity laced temper tantrum.

    9. Helpful (3)

      "Great company, poor leadership."

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Calgary, AB
      Former Employee - Anonymous Employee in Calgary, AB
      Doesn't Recommend
      Negative Outlook
      Disapproves of CEO

      I worked at TransAlta full-time (More than 10 years)

      Pros

      - A lot of great people there.
      - Challenging work with decent pay and benefits
      - Some flexibility to move throughout company or different positions if desired

      Cons

      - Management is inflated and makes poor decisions
      - Constant re-org's, layoffs, restructuring.
      - Poor review process, no clear path of development

      Advice to Management

      Rather than bringing in only outside people for the management positions, considering promoting your own staff first. Taking an active role in growing both your male, as well as female employees, will allow you to retain critical people and skills, improving performance. Don't undercut staff at every area,

    10. "Former employee"

      Star Star Star Star Star
      • Work/Life Balance
      • Culture & Values
      • Career Opportunities
      • Comp & Benefits
      • Senior Management
      Former Employee - Insurance Analyst in Calgary, AB
      Former Employee - Insurance Analyst in Calgary, AB
      Recommends
      Positive Outlook
      No opinion of CEO

      I worked at TransAlta full-time (More than 10 years)

      Pros

      I thoroughly enjoy the electrical energy business.

      Cons

      Regulation and uncertainty of the industry

      Advice to Management

      Requires strong leader ship with innovation and focus direction

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