eBossWatch and the rise of social media
Before the rise of social media, on-line review and rating sites were the only fast way to research a service provider. Doctors, schools, plumbers, therapists, just about anyone who provides a service can be searched on rate and review websites, and the newest form of rate and review is for bosses at ebosswatch.com.
In most cases, websites that offer these kinds of services serve mostly as outlets for the disgruntled. We all tend to complain about our bad experiences more than we rave about our good ones, and typical experiences don’t get any attention at all. A site like this could save a person or two from accepting a job from a bad boss, but for the most part it serves as a bashing ground.
The best way to learn about a potential boss
I gave the site a trial run, however. I searched every boss I’ve ever had as well as bosses’ names I’ve heard in a few gossip circles, and not one result turned up for anyone. Perhaps if I searched the names of some big company CEOs I would be able to see some results. The odds are, however, that even if I could get a hit with a boss’ name actually in the database, the only review would likely be from an angry former employee. And, just like we have all learned from the Better Business Bureau, no information isn’t necessarily good information.
There is just no true way to monitor data from these types of sites. No way to know the source of the review; a good review could have been solicited, and a vicious review is likely a heat of the moment rant. The best approach to finding out information on a possible future boss is to do what the mature population does. Implore information on unsuspecting people via social network post. A thousand of your closest friends won’t steer you wrong.
