Can unscrupulous managers manipulate Glassdoor?

Glassdoor is a popular jobs site, which has a review function where employees anonymously rate their employers. Its star ratings are an established feature on the recruitment landscape, with candidates often looking first at the score before deciding whether to proceed with a job application.

However, as ISL Recruitment Director, Alan Furley tells us, there’s the capacity for foul play.

“I’m not going to name names, but it’s been known for some bosses to tell staff they must give the business good Glassdoor ratings,” he said. “I understand, for example, that in some businesses writing and posting positive Glassdoor reviews is literally part of the promotion criteria - in an unofficial sense, of course.

“Imagine writing a positive review - reluctantly or not - then being told to take it down and write another one until your manager is happy with it. This actually happens, and recruitment firms are just as guilty as anyone else.”