Every Employer Will Get a Negative Glassdoor Review—The Real Question Is, How Do You Handle It?

If you’ve made it this far without a negative Glassdoor review, you either run the perfect company—or you just haven’t checked yet.

Glassdoor reviews can shape your hiring success. Ignore them, and you’re letting someone else define your company’s reputation.

For job seekers, platforms like Glassdoor offer a window into a company’s culture, leadership, and work environment. For employers, these reviews are an opportunity to showcase transparency, accountability, and growth.

Don’t Ignore the Conversation

Every company, no matter how well-run, will eventually receive a negative review. Brushing it off may seem like the easy route, but it can hurt your employer brand in the long run. When potential employees see unaddressed criticism, they may assume the worst. Silence can be misinterpreted as indifference.

Acknowledge, Don’t Dismiss

If a negative review contains valid criticism, acknowledging it openly demonstrates self-awareness and a commitment to improvement. For example, if multiple reviews mention a lack of career growth opportunities, an employer can respond with specific initiatives being implemented to address the issue.

A good response might be:

“We recognize that career growth has been a concern for some employees in the past. In response, we’ve introduced structured mentorship programs and internal mobility initiatives to create more development opportunities.”

This approach signals a willingness to listen and evolve.

What About Misinformation?

Not all negative reviews are accurate. Some may be exaggerated or outright false. In such cases, it’s okay to clarify the facts while maintaining professionalism. Avoid defensive or dismissive language. Instead, correct inaccuracies calmly and provide context.

For example:

“While we respect every employee’s perspective, we want to clarify that our company has clear policies ensuring fair compensation and workload distribution. We encourage employees to share concerns internally so we can address them in real time.”

This kind of response reassures prospective employees while keeping the conversation professional and factual.

Don’t Ignore the Positive Reviews

Negative reviews aren’t the only ones worth addressing. Engaging with positive feedback shows appreciation for employees who take the time to share their experiences. A simple acknowledgment—“We’re thrilled you had a great experience here, and we’ll continue working hard to support our team”—reinforces a culture of recognition.

Use Feedback to Improve, Not Just Defend

The best way to manage online reviews is to continuously improve your workplace culture. If certain issues come up repeatedly, that’s a signal for leadership. If work-life balance concerns appear in multiple reviews, it may be time to revisit company policies around flexibility or workload distribution.

Bring Up Reviews Proactively in Interviews

Being open about Glassdoor reviews should be part of the hiring process. A great way to demonstrate transparency is to bring up reviews proactively during interviews.

Ask candidates if they’ve had a chance to read the company’s Glassdoor reviews. If they have, invite them to share their thoughts or ask questions. If they haven’t, encourage them to take a look. This shows confidence in where your company has been and where it’s going.

For example, you might say:

“We know that no company is perfect, and we’re always working to improve. Have you had a chance to review our Glassdoor page? If you have any concerns about what you’ve read, we’d love to address them.”

or

“There was a time when we started to see some tough Glassdoor reviews come in. Instead of ignoring them, we took it as a wake-up call. We came together as a team, listened to what employees were saying, and made real changes to improve the work environment. Leadership stepped up, and we committed to fixing the issues that mattered most.”

Being upfront about reviews shows candidates that you’re not hiding from feedback. It also gives you a chance to share how your company has grown and continues to evolve.

Final Thought

Glassdoor reviews are a public dialogue about your workplace. Engaging with them—whether to acknowledge, clarify, or celebrate—demonstrates a company’s commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. Smart employers don’t shy away from feedback. They use it to build a stronger, more resilient organization.