A post on Reddit set the tone for the discussion: after all, why don’t job candidates also have the habit of asking employers for references?
Employers have long required references from job applicants to get opinions from former colleagues and employers about the skills and character of their potential new employees. But there are now a growing number of workers is turning the script upside down: After all, why can’t candidates also ask to speak to former employees of a company before signing the contract?
The idea gained traction recently after a viral post on: “Jobs are asking me for three references and I think I can start doing the same. Let me speak to three satisfied employeesplease.” The publication had repercussions for thousands of workers frustrated by misleading job descriptions and toxic work cultures hidden behind appealing advertisements.
Proponents argue that the logic is simple. Just like people check restaurant reviews or product ratings before spending money, candidates should be able to check whether a workplace is really that good as advertised. However, there are no formal mechanisms for these “reverse reference checks” — except anonymous platforms like Glassdoor, which are often skewed by extreme experiences.
Some professionals are already carrying out their own informal selection. One Reddit user wrote: “When I get an offer, I always ask to talk with people who would be my colleagues or subordinates. Don’t people normally do that?” Another said that after speaking with current employees, he “decided not to take the job.”
However, skeptics warn that current employees do not always provide an accurate picture. “Don’t talk to happy people, talk to the honest“, advised one commenter. Others joked that companies should show “a pile of resignations with the reasons for leaving highlighted”.
Legal and reputational risks remain major obstacles. Libel laws and fears of retaliation often silence current and former employees, discouraging open criticism of bosses.
Still, the tide may be changing. Platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn have become channels for former employees to publicly share their experiences, and this growing transparency about toxic work environments has eroded companies’ ability to unilaterally control your image.
Until “reverse reference checks” become commonplace, you can always ask one crucial question during interviews: How often has this position been filled in recent years? If the answer indicates high turnover, it may be time for a discreet LinkedIn background check before accepting the offer.
