Glassdoor Policy Update Requiring Name Disclosure: What Does This Really Mean?

Glassdoor’s new policy update shocked everyone by altering their sign-up process and now requiring a First and Last Name in order to create an account. Glassdoor’s recent update to its account policy has stirred up discussions and concerns about anonymity and obvious fear for employees about potential ramifications for sharing their honest opinion.

In recent years, Glassdoor has been a critical platform for job seekers and employees alike. Glassdoor offers insights into company cultures, salaries, and overall work experiences, it has empowered individuals to make informed career decisions. Their acquisition of Indeed last year and continued growth through acquisition of other employer banding sites like Fishbowl have only furthered it’s relevance for both employers and employees. Their recent policy update has challenge their popularity though.

One important driver for Glassdoor’s popularity amongst employees was the anonymity factor. Employees were not required to have a name included on their profile, ensuring that what they posted remained truly anonymous. Even in high level court cases, Glassdoor stood by this policy, arguing that they are protecting user’s 1^st amendment rights by keeping their information private

Glassdoor’s March Policy Update:

Glassdoor shocked everyone by altering their sign-up process and now requiring a First and Last Name in order to create an account. Glassdoor’s recent update to its account policy has stirred up discussions and concerns about anonymity and obvious fear for employees about potential ramifications for sharing their honest opinion.

For prospecting employees looking for a new role, ‘Current Employee’ reviews are critical as they provide insight into the culture, position, leadership, and company overall. Over 66% of Employee reviews on Glassdoor are from current employees. Employees who might now think twice about sharing their honest opinion for fear of retaliation from management.

Previously, users could post reviews and insights anonymously, creating an environment where individuals felt comfortable sharing candid feedback without fear of repercussion. However, this shift towards real-name disclosure has raised questions about the potential impact on user behavior and trust in the platform.

Why does this matter?

One of the primary concerns revolves around the ability to maintain anonymity while sharing sensitive feedback. Many employees rely on Glassdoor to voice their opinions about workplace conditions, management practices, and company policies without the fear of retaliation. Anonymity serves as a shield, allowing individuals to speak freely without jeopardizing their livelihoods. With the new policy in place, some fear that this protection may be compromised, leading to a reluctance to share honest opinions.

Employers have long felt and voiced that Glassdoor allowed slander and lies to be shared through online reviews by employees and proponents of the new policy argue that transparency breeds accountability. By requiring a name at sign in, they believe that users will be more inclined to provide constructive criticism and engage in meaningful dialogue with employers as opposed to ranting about untrue stories. Transparency, they argue, fosters a culture of trust and openness, benefiting both employees and employers in the long run.

It is important to note, Glassdoor firmly states that the information will not be publicly shared and it only tracked internally. All reviews will still remain anonymous to the employer and public.

 Which begs the question of why did they do this and cause all this drama?

While real-name disclosure may promote accountability, it shouldn’t come at the expense of individuals feeling safe to share their experiences honestly. Glassdoor must implement safeguards to protect user privacy and mitigate the risk of retaliation.

What does this mean the individuals using Glassdoor and trusting that they can share their review anonymously?

First and foremost, it’s essential for Glassdoor to communicate clearly with its users about the changes and reassure them of their commitment to safeguard anonymity where possible. Transparency about data usage, privacy controls, and reporting mechanisms for abusive behavior is crucial in building and maintaining trust.

In our fast-moving digital world, clear and concise communication is key. When this update was released, people immediately thought that names would be published with reviews and numerous articles and posts came out with this false information. It is important for Glassdoor, and others who go through policy changes, to share these updates with clear and simple summaries of who this will affect both sides.

It will be interesting to see what additional changes are made and how this update impacts the relevance and use of Glassdoor by employees. While the intention may be to promote accountability and trust, the implications for user privacy and freedom of expression cannot be overlooked. Moving forward, it’s imperative for Glassdoor to navigate this and future updates thoughtfully and ensure that the platform remains a valuable resource for all.

“You can’t both be verified and anonymous. You can’t both be a social network and a confidential reporting space. You can do one of those well, or you can do both of them badly.”

Albert Fox Cahn, founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project