Is your company tagged on OfficeBook?

OfficeBook is an independent application on Facebook that allows users to anonymously rate companies. The application was developed by three Facebook users, two from California and one from India. They wanted to create a space where users could gain an insider’s perspective on any company. 

OfficeBook uses tags to create these ratings. Users choose from lists of tags found on the site divided between positive and negative identifiers.  Positive tags include, “resourceful, challenging, team spirit, work-life balance, innovative and results driven.”  On the negative side viewers find descriptions such as, “slow decision makers cause delays, short term focus, it’s not my job, atmosphere of fear, yes boss and lack of vision.”

You do need to register as a Facebook user to view the page but you don’t have to create a profile.  You can even find companies that “match your values” after picking your tops from the list of tags. The focus is on describing the culture of an organization. While some workplace qualities will be attractive to most employees, individual differences drive many preferences or dislikes. 

The application contains lists of the companies with the most positive and negative tags. Organizations with the most positive tags are a diverse group including IBM and The National Park Service. For companies identified as having the most negative tags positive selections are also included on the reference list.

I like the fact that the application is not devoted to whining about a company. Disgruntled employees could crowd a space with long lists of complaints. A friend of mine was close to accepting a new position a few years ago when she called me in a panic after reading a list of complaints about the company on Vault. I asked her how many positive comments there were on the space about any company.  A bit of checking found that most of the users of this rating opportunity were very displeased with their work situation. Today you can still get a great deal of company information on Vault but users must pay for a premium membership to access details.

If you are checking out another company it could be interesting to read ratings by OfficeBook commentators. Remember it’s not a huge sample, just a simple snapshot. Rating your own company might put it on the map for future employees and make current ones proud that they work for an organization on the most positive list.

Have you viewed or used any other useful online communities that comment on company culture?