Analyzing employee-generated workplace reviews, we find that rank-and-file employees make value-depressing reviews about their employers prior to receiving stock option grants, implying a likely strategic disclosure practice by employees. Such strategic reviews are highly transient and only detectable for eligible option recipients and non-executives. Consistent with expectations, strategic reviews are also more prominent for firms that stick to fixed grant schedules across years, for employees who are more likely aware of option valuation mechanics, for larger employee stock option awards, for employees who are more likely to receive option grants, and for those who incur lower costs of posting negative reviews. Further analyses reveal that review narratives are more negative and cover more sensitive topics. Additionally, we show that the strategic reviews are unlikely driven by employers responding to low employee morale and do not rely on executives’ guidance. Collectively, we provide novel evidence that employees manipulate the strike price of forthcoming stock options through strategic workplace reviews, which may undermine the role that option compensation plays in motivating rank-and-file employees to internalize the firm’s best interests.