Comments on: No Such Thing As Bad Press?

By: hr bartender

hr bartender — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:16:50 +0000

I think the anonymous aspect to job review boards allows individuals to post without accountability for their comments. I agree with Mary’s comment about communication. You can’t fix what you don’t know is a problem.

When I think of job review boards, I’m reminded of that old customer service cliche that says if you have a good experience, you tell 3 people and if you have a negative one, you’ll tell 10. I know I’m preaching to Chris and the rest of the choir here, but human resources has to develop a marketing strategy when it comes to dealing with employees. Especially now, when it might be easy to fall into a “you’re lucky to have a job” mindset.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:06:52 +0000

True, the ability to post anonymously on these sites may be a solution to the ‘burning bridges’ dilemma, but it’s only one more way to avoid the essential problem in all of this: communication. It is up to management to ensure the lines of communication are open. I feel that these sites exists because employees feel stifled in their own workplace and are lashing out. Even if employees aren’t quite a fit for the company, they don’t have to leave bitter about it. In other words, a person can hate his or her job, but still appreciate what the company is trying to do for its employees – listen, show that their thoughts, feelings and ideas are valid or appreciated. Ideally this concept should extend across every organization everywhere: Communication, communication, communication.

By: Chris - Renegade HR

Chris - Renegade HR — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:01:01 +0000

Sharlyn, interesting thoughts. My thoughts on the matter (would love to hear your rebuttals):

Yes, employees should be able to speak honestly and be open about their work and company culture. .. Except of course, if employees have a terrible experience and decide to tell the world how working for your company really stinks.

Not every employee will have a great experience. And people do tend to share info when stuff goes wrong more so than when it goes well. I think this is where HR’s role as a cultural steward becomes critical. We should be working to have a company so incredibly kick-ass to work for that people do go out and right good reviews to balance the negatives.

Google Best Buy employee reviews to see a good example. Some people don’t like working there, but lots of people do, and will debate the merits of the company and their ROWE culture openly. This kind of transparency, to me, means you’ll be getting candidates who truly understand what its like to work somewhere and will be more inclined to want to stay and do their best work.

And lastly, is the concept of ‘burning bridges’ totally forgotten? In the past, employees would never speak up because they figured it was better to only say the nice things. You might need that former employer someday.

Many of these sites allow you to post anonymously. Blogs and web forums provide you with the same level of secrecy. No bridges burned, but damage done. Again, it all comes back to making sure your place isn’t a hell-hole to work for. If you’re doing things right and you’re transparent about it, that’s definitely a good thing.