Total joke and extremely toxic! - Anonymous Calpine Employee Review

1.0
Jan 28, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get paid every two weeks. The medical, dental, vision, 401k, and PTO benefits are good. You also get 12 paid holidays. Solid bonus program.

Cons

This place will suck the life out of you! Overworked and underpaid is putting it nicely. Modern-day slavery is more accurate. The majority of leadership rules by fear and exploits their employees beyond measure. Your are expected to work like a robot and devote your life to Calpine. The company is under staffed in most departments - especially in IT and HR. They RIF employees and do not backfill positions because they are too focused on the bottom line instead of their hardworking employees’ health, work-life balance, or morale. Folks are let go, and you are given more work, but no pay increase. Executive Leadership promotes their favorite cronies into roles these individuals have no business managing, and they get the pay increase. It’s insulting to say the least. Calpine’s so called “ASPIRE” values are a fallacy and should be discarded in their entirety. There are some great people in the various departments. However, the majority of the HR leadership team is the most pathetic! Major “rule by fear mentality! You are expected to keep your mouth shut, take the abuse, and get the tasks done at all costs. Forget your family! Many tenured employees (of all levels) say “Calpine used to be a great place to work.” I wouldn’t know. What I do know is this is the most toxic work environment I have EVER encountered. They DO NOT care about their employees! It’s vile! Also, there is no room for advancement unless someone dies, retires, or leaves for a better career opportunity. Career progression plans are a non-existent unless you work at a plant or are an executive’s “chosen one.” If you are unemployed, destitute, and have no other employment option at the time, work here until something better comes along.

Explore other reviews about Calpine

5.0
Mar 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Good work-life balance, which depends on your team. - Personal and career growth is promoted - Volunteer opportunities - Employee resource groups exist

Cons

- if you are experienced, you might hit a standstill if higher roles are not available - projects may be limited

3.0
Apr 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Free breakfast - Hybrid - Depending on your role bonuses can be quite rewarding - Decent benefits (health, 401k matching, etc.)

Cons

- Severly limited growth prospects, no clear path to move up - Lousy base pay, annual bonuses being a significant portion of your salary work in a way to keep employees hostage - Many roles are temp-to-hire with very long (often 12+ months) periods before being hired full time - Workload can vary significantly depending on what team you're on, from being done with your work by 11am to having to work until 8pm - Some managers are not the best

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