It would be interesting to see a website devoted to listing observations about employers or businesses in a certain market. Prospective employees could check to see if others had posted any information about the business, and how reputable they were. They could also check beyond the HR brochure and see some of the real, behind-the-scene employment practices. Sure, it could be abused, and there would be a concern about libel, but it could be useful to job applicants.
"It would be interesting to see a website devoted to listing observations about employers or businesses in a certain market."
Unfortunately, the ones most likely to post are those who've left the company People usually don't leave the company under happy circumstances. While their info might in fact be valid observations, it also might be that the former employee didn't have the same experience of the vast number of current employees.
Someone at the magazine where I work had a blog about her job. The boss found out about it and fired her. They sent out a memo saying that anyone else who wrote about the work situation at the magazine would be fired as well. But then the fired employee became a semi-celebrity - lots of news stories (including an op-ed in the NYTimes)and a book offer.
That would be a good idea IronJack....similar to those high-school and college sites where they rate the teachers, professors and classes. I think by and large you would get a few sour grapes; but most would give an honest portrayal.
If I owned a business I would order my staff one day to spend half an hour writing a good review onto such a site