The court’s reasoning was that the reviews are not political speech and are therefore not protected. Much to the chagrin of Glassdoor users everywhere, a federal court decided in a closed proceeding that Glassdoor reviewers are not entitled to anonymity and that the government can compel the company to provide users’ information. On the contributor side, it’s satisfying to vent your frustration about your terrible department head or never-present CEO, knowing your review of the company is anonymous. Additionally, the review could be seen as a form of defamation, which is illegal. If your employer does not agree with your review, it could lead to disciplinary action or even termination. The reviews are public and other people, including your employer, may be able to see them. Reviewing your employer on Glassdoor can be risky because it could lead to negative repercussions from your employer. Sites like Glassdoor offer a rare, unfiltered view into salary levels, management, culture, and other things that the company’s external facing website and communications tend to obscure. Unless you know someone at a company that’s hiring, it can be difficult to know what it’s actually like to work there.

Glassdoor reviews