Toxic, backward-thinking, badly managed digital division in the Chicago area - Senior Engineer Capital One Employee Review

1.0
Jun 28, 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Solid benefits, some excellent Scrum Masters and Engineers who are not properly leveraged.

Cons

Management creates a toxic workplace. The twice yearly review process discourages teamwork and kills morale by forcing managers to put 20% or more of their reports on a performance plan or terminiating them. This is no way to create a good work environment or culture. Promotions are subject to cronyism and engineers are encouraged to look out only for themselves. Valuable, high-performing engineers are not developed or promoted. With the recent Chicago lay-off announcements, morale is terrible. It seems like the Virginia offices are better places to work, but steer clear of the Chicago and Rolling Meadows locations if you are looking for a safe workplace. There is no opportunity there.

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1.0
Jun 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pay can be decent compared to GovCon. Some people are a pleasure to work with. Other non-pay related incentives.

Cons

Never heard more nonsensical topics during meetings; people sharing their sexual preferences, flaunting overly dramatic personal lifestyle decisions, diversity to the point of failure, etc. Hearing the term "white guilt" in a professional setting was, well, pretty unprofessional. Stack ranking for performance reviews is a mess. Someone has to have an "F" regardless of their performance because that is what their line of business is allotted. Be prepared to be held responsible for actions any Sr Leadership would just sweep under the rug under their own circumstances. If a manager doesn't like you, regardless of your productivity, you're toast unless you're able to find another LoB to support. HR / AR are just a check in the box and will most likely point you from one to the other and back again without resolving any issues. You'll find yourself curious as to what leadership does as they continue to scrape managerial responsibilities from their plate, to yours. Last but certainly not least; you may find yourself working hard on a project; nights and weekends, just in case that work life balance is feeling a little too perfect. Fret not, someone will surely assist in taking credit for the hard work you've put in. I'm sure none of these things will happen to you, though. Best of luck!

4
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