Great Innovator, Poor Performance Management and Huge Deadline Pressure - IT Manager Capital One Employee Review

2.0
26 Nov 2018
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There is always a new challenge, if you're on the right project or have a high-profile director. Lots of in-house learning and collaboration opportunities. Mostly very nice people to work with, and a pretty diverse workforce.

Cons

It can be hard to take advantage of some learning opportunities or participate in innovations because so many projects are under high-pressure deadlines set be senior management. The company uses Agile methods but does not really buy into the real Agile approach of giving teams a prioritized backlog and letting them define release scope and dates. Instead, whole systems have to be built, migrated, etc., by hard deadlines and the teams have to figure it out. Teams or trains can't easily grow and get people up to speed, so instead directors crack the whip, requiring lots of extra hours and weekend work. Teams are rewarded, but they can't really complain; many teams are mostly contractors and have no feedback power. Directors say they are empowering their people, but then won't negotiate scope or deadlines. The forced distribution performance management process is still in place and creates a negative atmosphere among peers who are in a team environment but are also in an un-acknowledged competition for their jobs against each other. Who will come out on the bottom each year is a matter of constant concern, and relief when it's not you. The CEO is a wonderful person who sets inspiring visions, but I am told he is a big proponent of forced distribution. Also, when he sets an audacious goal, this is what sends the rest of senior management into overdrive on crazy deadlines.

Explore other reviews about Capital One

5.0
12 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Culture is amazing and work life balance

Cons

Performance management is very intense

3.0
19 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Some of the smartest individuals in their fields. The focus is always “forward” and the company is willing to adopt new tech to stay ahead for the purposes of the company’s (key word there) benefit. Great PTO and benefits.

Cons

The company’s drive to keep itself moving forward has caused it to regress in other aspects. As a leading tech company first, and leading bank second, it’s embarrassing what their stance is on hybrid and remote work. The company can easily accommodate remote options for their employees not near main offices, but chooses not to. I am relocating to a major city with no major CapOne presence and their response was “too bad, either fly up weekly or you’ll be terminated for not meeting the hybrid requirements”. It’s embarrassing because most of my week is remote anyways. I wonder how many current and past employees have been impacted, and I’m worried about how much talent they’ll be pushing away in the coming years.

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