Are Potential Hires Running Background Checks on Your Small Business?

Job applicants are used to employers advising them that their employment will be contingent on passing a thorough background check. But it looks like the shoe might be on the other foot for once. A Monster survey of over 1,400 job seekers found that 80 percent said they check employer review sites before applying for a job. This means your potential hires are probably running a background check on your business before you ever get the chance to run a background check on them.

So what are these employer review sites, and what do they say about your small business?

4 Stars, Would Work Here

Just when you thought you had those Yelp reviews figured out, there's a whole slew of new review forums to worry about. But instead of being geared to your customers, employer review sites are aimed at your potential hiring candidates. Prospective employees want all the information on your company as possible, and your past and present employees may be all too happy to share that information.

Most employer reviews sites, like Glassdoor, are built on employee reviews of their own companies, past and present. And, like Yelp, reviewers award stars to businesses large and small, creating a rating system that can pit your company against your competitors when it comes to finding the best job candidates. So if you foster a positive corporate culture and keep your employees happy, you're probably in good shape.

1 Star, Stay Away

Now that business has moved online, a negative review on the internet may just be a fact of 21st century commercial life. So what do you do if an employee leaves a negative review on a website? Glassdoor, conveniently enough, has some tips for responding to negative reviews, and Forbes has its own guide on how negative reviews can affect your small business.

Generally speaking, you can request that false or defamatory reviews be removed from the site. Aside from that, your best option is to respond to all reviews, good and bad. Most employer review sites will allow for at least one review and one response from the company, so you'll have a chance to explain your company's side of the story.

As competition for talent heats up and the internet provides more and more exposure for your small business, it means always putting your best face out there for potential hires. If you're worried about what your employees are saying about you online, make sure you treat them right. And if you need help dealing with employee reviews, you might want to consult an experienced employment or commercial attorney today.

Related Resources:

• Find Employment Lawyers Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
• 6 Ways to Research Employers Before Interviewing (U.S. News & World Report)
• 5 Steps to Take When An Employee Leaves (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)
• How to Respond to False Yelp Reviews (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)