Should I worry about the terrible reviews online that my company gets from fellow work colleagues?

[TheEternalPessimist]

Hey guys,

I moved to a new country last year and started working for this relatively young and hip news agency a little over 6 months ago (January 2020). Given that I'm in my mid 20's and that this is more or less the first real job that I got since graduating with a BA in journalism in 2017 (with an ok salary for a newbie, let's be fair), I couldn't be happier. I have colleagues from all over the world, we get along great, we even get free breakfast every morning and for the most part the tasks are fun to do. I began working in late January and by late March we were all sent home because of the pandemic. However, my boss informed me that I would be staying beyond the 6-month probation period despite the ongoing crisis. Since the crisis began, the company has hired another 4 journalists and since I began working in January, only 2 people out of about 35 news agency workers have left (one was fired, the other one was planning to leave anyways).

When I was first hired, within the first couple of days, this guy (we'll call him Jay) approached me. Jay and I are from the same part of the world so we can speak our own native language without anyone else being able to understand us. He proceeded to tell me that I should be prepared because according to him this is an awful place to work at, management lied to him and didn't keep their promises. Jay also mentioned that people are constantly leaving the company because they are sick of it but that hasn't happened at all since I was hired. He also said that many people feel the same way than he does about the company and when he saw how shocked and surprised I was by his claims, he simply replied: "Just read the reviews" and left the staff kitchen where we were sitting and talking. 

That evening, I read the comments online coming from my work colleagues (journalists but also other staff members) and sure enough they were dreadful for the most part with some of my colleagues voicing the same complains and concerns as Jay did to me. I was also quite shocked to learn that many of those comments were written by people still working at the company, basically my work colleagues who were in a way bitting the hand that feeds them and getting away with it because anonymity was guaranteed on the website where these comments were made.

I haven't spoken to Jay since that first talk face-to-face because I haven't seen him since we all began working from home but we did chat on Skype (we use Skype to communicate between colleagues) last week where I told him I read the reviews and began noticing some things myself (nothing too worrying for now at least). He said that it would get worse with time (he's been working there for about 4 years) and that people mostly use that website to let off some steam. Because I didn't want to get into trouble and put Jay into trouble as well, I didn't talk to anyone from work about this, not in details at least.

Should I look into this more or ask other people if this is true and what their own experiences have been like? It's not like I'm not sleeping at night from thinking about it but still it intrigues me somewhat. At the same time, I don't want to get into trouble. I plan to hang out with some work colleagues in the upcoming weeks but I'm not close friends with anyone from work because I haven't been working there nearly long enough to build a solid and trustworthy friendship with anyone. 

Edited August 1, 2020 by TheEternalPessimist

[Wiseman2]

Do you think the work culture is toxic? Do you have anything else lined up for work? Are you there on a work visa?

People like Jay can make a workplace toxic. Does he speak German and English?

Edited August 1, 2020 by Wiseman2

[TheEternalPessimist]

People have complained online about the work culture being toxic but I personally didn't notice it so far. At worst, some colleagues are clearly more friendly than others while others tend to be more passive-aggressive and seem to just be frustrated all the time but that's about.

Jay speaks a couple of languages, not sure about his level of German though.

I don't have anything else lined up, my work visa is dependent on my job and I do hope I stay there because I like it. Still, I'm intrigued by those comments and a little worried. I think I deserve to know more but it might not necessarily be a smart idea to start questioning my colleagues about their experience and as I said I am not particularly close with anybody there right now. I should probably mention also that Jay is the only one who approached me to tell me this was a terrible place to work at, according to him.

[Wiseman2]

Sounds like Jay just wants to live there on a work visa but is toxic.

[TheEternalPessimist]

I'm not sure what to make of him, he seems nice and I wouldn't really care about what he told me if I didn't read multiple comments from anonymous work colleagues saying basically the same thing. The general idea seems to be that a lot of people at that workplace are frustrated but still keep going because they have no other viable alternatives. Then again, this is just a theory, I'm too much of a newbie to know any of that for sure. 

[Wiseman2]

If it sounds like a ship of losers start looking for another job.

[TheEternalPessimist]

It doesn't, not for now at least. At this point, I have no reason to quit or look for another job. My issue is whether or not, I bring this up with anyone from work, not whether or not I quit a job that I already love anyways. 

Edited August 1, 2020 by TheEternalPessimist

[Wiseman2]

Why spread toxic gossip if you plan to work there? 

[TheEternalPessimist]

1 minute ago, Wiseman2 said:

Why spread toxic gossip if you plan to work there? 

Asking other work colleagues what their experiences have been so far and whether or not they hate some important aspects of the job is not gossip. I never mentioned his name to anyone nor do I plan to. 

[major_merrick]

At least in my experience, what you're describing is pretty normal.

Jobs are awful.  Employers lie.  Employees are disgruntled.  Pay is crap compared to previous generations.  Unless you are really adept socially and you can get in favor with somebody higher up, you're in for a rough ride.  But the thing is, that'll be true EVERYWHERE you go.  Don't think you'll get respect, good treatment, fair pay, and opportunities just for showing up.  You won't even get it for doing your job and doing it well.  Succeeding at work is all about politics.  You either have to be so well liked be the people in charge that they'll reward you, or you have to be so feared by everybody that none dare to oppose you. 

Don't open your mouth.  Don't spread gossip.  Don't let others into your personal life.  Appear to have no opinions or views - and if you do, those views had better agree with the views of the people who control your future.  Pretend you're a politician - those around you are watching every move. 

[TheEternalPessimist]

What you wrote makes a lot of sense, I would just question whether it's really like that everywhere. Maybe one day I'll learn more about whatever some people went through at the company, I get the feeling several people wish to speak up in some way. And some coworkers clearly sound and look frustrated all the time, something that you see everywhere else for sure. 

[Pastypop]

I worked for a couple of companies that had bad reviews.  What they said was true.  I will never work for another company with bad reviews. 

[TheEternalPessimist]

It's certainly tricky because in my case at least it makes me question everything and it makes me wonder what I can expect going forward even though like I said I have been mostly satisfied with everything so far. 

[Caauug]

On 8/3/2020 at 4:43 AM, major_merrick said:

Don't open your mouth.  Don't spread gossip.  Don't let others into your personal life.  Appear to have no opinions or views - and if you do, those views had better agree with the views of the people who control your future.  Pretend you're a politician - those around you are watching every move. 

This is your best advice!!!! ^^^^ Thanks MM

Others might have had a hard time, maybe there was a change of leadership or company polices since those reviews, who knows and why even care? As long as you are satisfied that is what counts, GET IT? Only you count!!!

The last thing a company or organization wants or needs in to be under mined by their employees.... DON"T DO IT!!!! Keep your trap shut about this issue. If the company doesn't know about the reviews then that is their problem, it's not your job to open old wounds if they do know.

If there is competition in the workforce for jobs or visa extensions the last thing you need is your name in the middle of a sandal.... Your so called work friends can play very dirty when it's their job on the line. Trust no one, and just consider everyone is out for your job. Never give anyone anything that can be used against you!!!

 

 

[Noproblem]

if you are happy where you are, then that's that. It's like twilight get really bad reviews, but I liked it when I watched it!

So long you are happy, don't probe!

[TheEternalPessimist]

I am fairly happy, I just want to be well prepared to react to certain situations should they arise and part of that is finding out more about those reviews and how people feel at work. I'm troubled that some many of those horrendous reviews were written by people who still work there, people I perhaps sat right next to for weeks pre-pandemic.

[Caauug]

9 hours ago, TheEternalPessimist said:

I'm troubled that some many of those horrendous reviews were written by people who still work there, people I perhaps sat right next to for weeks pre-pandemic

Be very careful and distance yourself from these people. They are undermining the company they work for. "Biting the hand that feeds them". Likely writing the poor reviews to cut out good competition coming in for jobs. If they go to these extremes what will they do to you if it comes down to a crunch and someone has to go? There is no need to give them ammunition to use against you. People like that will take what you say out of context and twist it around for their benefit. DO NOT TRUST THEM!!!

[TheEternalPessimist]

13 hours ago, Caauug said:

Be very careful and distance yourself from these people. They are undermining the company they work for. "Biting the hand that feeds them". Likely writing the poor reviews to cut out good competition coming in for jobs. If they go to these extremes what will they do to you if it comes down to a crunch and someone has to go? There is no need to give them ammunition to use against you. People like that will take what you say out of context and twist it around for their benefit. DO NOT TRUST THEM!!!

I can't trust or not trust them, I don't even know WHO they are and WHO wrote those reviews, that's the thing. 

[Dork Vader]

It's really hard to say one way or the other. How ever let us start here, what do other peoples opinions matter? It's ultimately your job and your career. If you're happy there (at least for the time being). Then stick with it, perhaps they were just disgruntled employees? Even if you're not happy, don't you think you should keep some type of income going until you find something else?

When you're the business owner you're in a tricky position. The people you've let go can talk negatively about you and your business all they want and face no recourse. How ever if you defend yourself, you open yourself to a huge liability issues. Liability ranging from wrongful termination litigation, to harassment lawsuits amongst other things. 

If you start see things go south or become unhappy with the job. Then I guess you have your answer and can start your search for a new place of employment. Preferably while staying on good terms with the current employer. 

From my experience with other business owners and my own businesses. I can tell you that businesses who treat their employees fairly, tend to keep the staff they have. I have noticed that when employees feel comfortable at a business they stick around, especially those who have truly dealt with bad employers before. Most of my staff have worked at my families business for over 10 years, about 65% of them have been with us for over 15 years. I'd like to think it's because we are a good employer. We pay better than industry averages, we offer benefits that no one in our industry does, we treat them as coworkers, not like employees.. We understand they are human and need time off and help occasionally. We do what we can for them.. The employees we do lose, we tend to lose because they find job/career opportunities we can't provide because we are too small.

The business owners that I know who have a hard time keeping staff, are typically horrible bosses. There is one in particular, I have no idea how he has not been sued into bankruptcy. There are exceptions, one business owner I know tends to hire a lot of graduates who are just starting careers. They'll stay with his business a few years before moving onto bigger companies that can pay more and offer career advancement opportunities. But he still has a core of loyal employees..

[TheEternalPessimist]

I can't really explain it, maybe it's sick curiosity but I just feel the need to dig more into this, just a gut feeling that I have that it could be important someday. Ultimately though, I also have to accept that fact that it could be dangerous and that I will probably never find out completely who wrote those bad reviews. Still though it's quite shocking because the overwhelming majority of reviews are negative and what shocked me even more is that a lot of those comments were written by people who still work at the company prompting me to wonder what they are still doing working there if it's so "terrible" and if they hate it so much. It's troubling that I may have sat right next to someone like that..

[basil67]

1 hour ago, TheEternalPessimist said:

I can't really explain it, maybe it's sick curiosity but I just feel the need to dig more into this, just a gut feeling that I have that it could be important someday. Ultimately though, I also have to accept that fact that it could be dangerous and that I will probably never find out completely who wrote those bad reviews. Still though it's quite shocking because the overwhelming majority of reviews are negative and what shocked me even more is that a lot of those comments were written by people who still work at the company prompting me to wonder what they are still doing working there if it's so "terrible" and if they hate it so much. It's troubling that I may have sat right next to someone like that..

Are you saying that the reviews were written by staffers who wrote using their own name and who are still employed?    If those reviews are still there, it's worrying that the company doesn't have a handle on their online presence or their HR.   If it's true, this should be a sackable offence. 

Edited September 7, 2020 by basil67

[Libby1]

6 hours ago, TheEternalPessimist said:

I can't really explain it, maybe it's sick curiosity but I just feel the need to dig more into this, just a gut feeling that I have that it could be important someday. Ultimately though, I also have to accept that fact that it could be dangerous and that I will probably never find out completely who wrote those bad reviews. Still though it's quite shocking because the overwhelming majority of reviews are negative and what shocked me even more is that a lot of those comments were written by people who still work at the company prompting me to wonder what they are still doing working there if it's so "terrible" and if they hate it so much. It's troubling that I may have sat right next to someone like that..

Is it possible that one person (your friend Jay, for instance) could make up several personas to post negative reviews on this site you're talking about?

[TheEternalPessimist]

7 hours ago, basil67 said:

Are you saying that the reviews were written by staffers who wrote using their own name and who are still employed?    If those reviews are still there, it's worrying that the company doesn't have a handle on their online presence or their HR.   If it's true, this should be a sackable offence. 

If you go back and read what I wrote in a previous comment, I said that those comments were all written anonymously, some by current employees, others by former employees. The website where the reviews were written guarantees anonymity in exchange for reviews but you have to write if you are a current or a former employee and also which department you work (worked) in. You don't absolutely have to write it but on a lot of the reviews it was written and specified. Noboy wrote their own name(s), I think you would be able to do that even if you wanted to and it probably wouldn't be a smart idea.

Those reviews are still there, HR haven't responded to any of them except the latest one which was written last spring where a current employee who didn't specify which department he was working in was complaining about their handling of the pandemic. 

[TheEternalPessimist]

2 hours ago, Libby1 said:

Is it possible that one person (your friend Jay, for instance) could make up several personas to post negative reviews on this site you're talking about?

He's not my friend, I barely know the guy. I thought about that possibility but the style of writing differs so much from one review to another as do some of the complains and the quality of the writing that to me it is obviously they were written by multiple people. I can't imagine a grown man sitting on his computer for hours to make up those reviews one after the other. Jay may have written a review of his own but if he did he didn't mention that to me, his explanation about the reviews was that people use that site to let off some steam. Overall, there is just a weird feeling of frustration among some that I came to notice as well and I still get a feeling that a lot of employees wish to speak out. 

Edited September 7, 2020 by TheEternalPessimist