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Rate Your Boss - Payback's a Cinch

ebosswatch.jpg"Nobody should have to work with a jerk." 

That's a great slogan for eBossWatch.com, a new Web site that aims for full disclosure when  it comes to supervisors.  As you already know, you could have the dream job, but if your boss is a miserable human being, odds are, your experience will be too.

While the service has several flaws, I certainly have a soft spot for the site's creator Asher Adelman.  After a harrowing experience with an abusive and hostile boss (who seemed like a pussycat during the interview process) Asher knew that something had to be done.  And we salute him for taking "positive" action!

The site simply has users anonymously answer six questions about their current or former manager.  No rants, no raves - just facts. Anyone can can add anyone, which is problem number one.  A boss can make themself look sweet as sugar.  Or a vengeful employee can make a mouse look like a lion.

The second problem I have with the Web site it asks users to spend $3.99 (via paypal, etc.) to access boss's profiles.  While that's a tiny price to pay for some information that can help you make the decision of whether or not to except a job, I'm not so sure the six questions that are asked have that value.  Plus, with only several dozen ratings being added a day, it'll be quite some time before the database is robust enough to count.

That being said: I like the concept.  Anything that brings transparency to employment and eventually accountability is a beautiful thing.   The bosses of the world have been put on notice.  We'll keep an eye on eBossWatch - and your boss should too!

Posted on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 09:20AM by Registered CommenterAndrew G.R. | Comments1 Comment

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Reader Comments (1)

Well, I was a victim two years ago and finally there is a forum available to get a sober word out on these individuals. Is it foolproof? Only in a perfect world, so I wouldn't lose much sleep on whether or not a marginal proportion of bosses are getting a fair shake on ebosswatch. First and foremost, bosses always have the upper hand and at this present time there is no legal recourse for most victims of workplace bullying, and as such, this site can only be an invaluable tool in preventing future victims. In most cases, managerial bullies (the terminology "bad bosses" is too sugary) are like chameleons. Painting themselves as caring individuals, and even going as far as “playing” the victim at the hands of some “bad” employee, they will wield their power on a whim. Unlike truly caring people, bullies study their prospects and home in on their “target” with the intent to do injury. Do they work alone? Sometimes. But more times than not, they recruit (called mobbing). Furthermore, there is a big deception out there that thrives on the belief that bullying only happens to the “weak” or the “defective”. Research shows, that most targets of workplace bullying are individuals who hold high ethical standards with the aim to live by them, which is probably why they are targeted. So if one particular profile is predisposed to “gaming” the system… that’s right, you guessed it. And believe me, if after discovery they’re still bent on spreading their misery, all they have to do is vote themselves in a better light and inducing their cohorts accordingly, hence, rendering this site only as the next best thing to passing the Healthy Workplace Bill. This brings me to my next point. Ignorance as to what constitutes abuse of power in no way condones it, and indifference to it when within one's realm of influence, does not exempt culpability. I encourage all to get educated, get real, and help fight for the Healthy Workplace Bill. In the meantime, all we have as victims in preventing future victims is ebosswatch.
August 23, 2007 | Unregistered CommenterChew

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