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Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

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Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#141

Post by KGIII »

Balgair wrote: post #138
KGIII wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So far, it looks like they are supported by VC funds. I can't find any info on how they intend to become profitable but a few comments, drawn from memory, suggest they are expecting to fund with ads and a couple of people have suggested they will have a subscription service. However, I can't find anything official about either and Wikipedia isn't very helpful. They do have some information about their existing fundin…

I'd think so as well! But as we have seen in healthcare and other sectors, regulatory capture is possible, if not probable. Though, to be fair, the credit bureaus are in a similar niche and they are frankly a catastrophe. It seems that any 'word of mouth' type business or board that is of any use will eventually become useless as they try to squeeze blood from turnips. Subscriptions/payment may be better, like The Ne…

Yeah, I'd think it'd have to be a not-for-profit enterprise with some sort of forced independence and verification. I keep mulling it over and thinking that it's be simple to do, but each idea I come up with finds me also finding ways it can be abused. So, it's not really that easy, I suppose.

Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#142

Post by literallycancer »

btown wrote: post #139
audleman wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> With NLP and ML any company can know who wrote what review if they wanted to And the motivation to dedicate resources to this is...? You already fired the person, what does it matter if you find out who they are?

If they signed a non-disparage clause, it could be worth quite a lot.

That this is even a thing is extremely concerning.

Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#143

Post by neerkumar »

Glassdoor has a huge conflict of interest. Its customers are the companies themselves.

And it is not just a review problem. Even for job interview questions, where I work we were unhappy that someone wrote a detailed and correct answer to a question we usually ask. HR emailed glassdoor and they removed the answer saying it didn't comply with ToS.

Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#144

Post by rqtaylor »

Balgair wrote: post #97
llaith wrote: post #34

In my experience, the negative ones are usually absolutely reliable! When I have left a place happy, I usually forget to write a good review. When I leave a place that was a nightmare to work at, I don't forget to spill the beans to warn people away. It's not uncommon for a company to have some sort of management shuffle, a new (worse) culture is imposed, and people start to leave and write negative reviews. Then the…

Does anyone know how GD is funded? Is it ads or do companies pay somehow to be listed? I ask, as the payment method is critical to understand it's reliability. If it is ads, then yes, I think it should be reliable. 'You' are the 'product' in that case. More negative press will likely keep you clicking and searching about, therefore more money. If it is the companies, then it it not likely reliable. Why would you pay…

They are funded by Venture Capital, but their revenue comes from companies paying for "branding" on their company profiles and advertising jobs. If you choose not to pay to brand your company profile, other companies can advertise their jobs on your profile.

Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#145

Post by kvonhorn »

s73ver_ wrote: post #59
jmcgough wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(one that contacted me years ago and apparently still exists is kind of amazing to read: https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Tobi-Reviews-E315372.htm )

"You can bring your dog, I think" This kind of thing is generally a yes/no type of thing. "There's a parking lot" Wow, this company is reaching for the stars there! (Note: I don't know where the company is located, but generally having a parking lot isn't a bragging point.)

Actually, if the company is located in an area where the housing is unaffordable, then having a parking lot is indeed a bragging point. It means you can live in your van super close to work.

Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#147

Post by kvonhorn »

JSeymourATL wrote: post #128
s73ver_ wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How reliable is that? I mean, how honestly would you answer such a thing?

Can you gauge sincerity in a live 1:1 conversation? If someone pinged you with a transparent motive-- We share a mutual connection in 'Mike D', I'm interested in learning more about your experience in (company/ex-employer) because they a have a job opening I want to explore. Would you be open to a brief 10 minute call/Skype? Wouldn't you tell that person the straight deal?

I'd be concerned that anyone asking me for a 10 minute call or Skype was trying to scam me or say something they would try to use against me. If I got this kind of email and was inclined to reply, I'd advise them to check Glassdoor.

Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#148

Post by hen1234 »

llaith wrote: post #34

In my experience, the negative ones are usually absolutely reliable! When I have left a place happy, I usually forget to write a good review. When I leave a place that was a nightmare to work at, I don't forget to spill the beans to warn people away. It's not uncommon for a company to have some sort of management shuffle, a new (worse) culture is imposed, and people start to leave and write negative reviews. Then the…

sadsadas

Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#149

Post by pravula »

btown wrote: post #139
audleman wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> With NLP and ML any company can know who wrote what review if they wanted to And the motivation to dedicate resources to this is...? You already fired the person, what does it matter if you find out who they are?

If they signed a non-disparage clause, it could be worth quite a lot.

Streisand effect is a beautiful thing.

Re: Ask HN: Are Glassdoor reviews a reliable indicator of a company's culture?

#150

Post by brailsafe »

blakesterz wrote: post #26

I've looked at a few companies only, and from what I've seen, in my limited experience, is that the only people motivated to leave reviews were those who were fired/layedoff/let go. So we're left with 100% negative reviews. These are not tech companies, so no one working there has any idea that glassdoor even exists. The place I work now has TERRIBLE reviews, and it's pretty obvious who left the reviews, and it's obv…

My experience was such that I was fired for performance but was genuinely already looking for employment elsewhere due to a culmination of problems in the department. I went to Glassdoor after some time to see the reviews for the company and whether or the experiences of others would comport with mine. I didn't go there to write a review, but Glassdoor will conceal the majority of reviews until you've contributed one. So I wrote a fairly balanced (not just negative) but notably negative and specific review. I was satisfied to see that there were others that felt the same way.
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