BlueStar Energy Reviews

Pros

Great culture! People love working here. Very relaxed environment, casual dress, dogs in the office, etc. The work is fulfilling and the company's mission to help people "use less and spend less" is one I personally believe in. Terrific energy -- a very fast paced fast growing company! Management is transparent and communicates really well. Truly the best place I've ever worked!

Cons

Not many, but sometimes the hours can get pretty long. My commute is also pretty long. All worth it though.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep it up! I came upon this site after google searching the company's name. I was shocked to see some of the poor reviews. Clearly just disgruntled ex-employees who couldn't hack it. Not everyone can keep up with the pace of this company. Lazy people, blamers, political players, etc. never last long here because the employees quickly identify them and run them out. This company wouldn't be doing as great as it is if employees weren't happy!

Pros

interesting segment of business if you're into alternative energy suppliers as a career- although i would suggest you find another company to work for if this is the case

Cons

unless you have no life, this place is not for you...

Advice to Senior Management

wake up!

Pros

Casual clothes
Enough opportunities to hone your political skills
People like to joke around all the time
Salary may not be bad if you negotiate well

Cons

Extremely long work hours - over 80 hours on average with no recognition even though you are a good performer and come highly experienced and have proven your worth.

Poor and partial leadership – Either you are part of the inner circle, patronize the leaders and protected, or just another employee. Leadership is unable to communicate the goals of the company, how that translates to your department and your job. Credentials, experience and good work has no value unless you are a favorite.

Very high attrition – Employees are fired for performance reasons almost weekly. Or the good ones resign after they become aware of the true culture. Then leadership promptly blames them for every issue within the department – a predictive and repetitive pattern during my experience here.

Too much office politics – very hostile and unmotivating. Team leads are set up against one another, infighting between departments and department heads. No one seems to have any common goals. And no one is happy to come to work. Many joke around (excessively sometimes) to let off the stress, but stress level keeps growing without hope.

No formal HR procedures (they did not even have an HR department until recently), employees are even expected to clean the common areas like kitchen and take the trash out because the company cannot invest in decent janitorial service. And those who try to set a good example are taken for granted.

A motivating, sharing, team environment where you can learn, grow and accomplish together – don’t consider this company if that is what you are looking for.

Bottom line - how can a company convince they care about customers when don't care about their employees.

Advice to Senior Management

Just as a previous reviewer put it - Listen well to the talent that works here. To add to it - pay attention to what people who leave are saying. Create an environment to retain talent.

Pros

Bring your dog to work.

Cons

Attrition rate is very high for a place that takes pride in their so-called "culture".
Unclear business and strategic plans.
Company is just another electric retail company in a crowded marketplace.
A lack of clear company values.
A constant influx of structures, and procedures that are geared towards keeping middle management employed, rather than to keep helping the company achieve their goals.
PTO policy does not allow employees to accrue vacation time.
Poor benefits.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to the talent that still works there.

Pros

The company founders are smart, hardworking, and inspiring people. It is easy to feel motivated just being around them. There are also a lot of talented energetic people in other levels that make the overall experience fun and stimulating.

Cons

Middle management tends to be dysfunctional. Some are excellent others really bring things down. In contrast to the self-made men who built the company there are C level executives who probably don't know how to build a company like this one but for some reason feel eminently qualified to run it.

Advice to Senior Management

Though there are lots of good things about the company, just saying you have a good culture does not make it so. Rather that just believe your own hype, listen, eally listen to the people who work here.

Pros

Everyone is dedicated to growing the company and management is focused on improving the culture of the organization. The CEO is good at communicating the direction of the company with the whole company.

Cons

Middle Management is not effective in communicating their strategy for achieving the sometimes unrealistic goals of Senior Management. Also, while the company says they are focused on providing education for employees about the industry, they do not invest the proper resources necessary.

Advice to Senior Management

Management needs to listen to their employees and communicate their goals. Also, do not expect all employees to regularly put in 70 hour weeks.