For nonprofits, mission and reputation go hand in hand. Donors, volunteers, and employees want to know that your organization lives its values, not only in the communities you serve, but also in how you treat your people. In today’s climate of heightened transparency, a single negative Glassdoor review can do more than hurt your hiring pipeline, it can affect the entire ecosystem of supporters.
The Ripple Effect of a Single Review
Recruiting and Retention: In a competitive talent market, 86% of job seekers consult reviews before applying. A positive one-star shift in your rating can boost employee retention by 4%. In a sector where salaries often lag, a stellar reputation for employee care can be the deciding factor for top, mission-driven talent.- Donor and Volunteer Confidence: Donors and volunteers perform their own due diligence. A string of negative employee reviews can raise red flags about leadership, accountability, and the overall stewardship of the organization. Recent scandals tied to staff treatment show that the line between internal culture and external trust is direct, and the loss of that trust can affect funding and support for years to come.
- Erosion of Internal Morale and Productivity: The employees who remain after a poorly handled transition are watching closely. Uncertainty, fear, and a sense of betrayal can damage productivity and lead to the loss of the most dedicated team members, the very people needed to carry the mission forward. This “survivor sickness” can quietly cost an organization more in lost productivity and subsequent turnover than the initial layoff itself.
A Proactive Approach to Protecting Your Reputation
A strong reputation is built by proactively managing the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring to offboarding.
- Cultivate an Open Culture: Encourage balanced, ongoing feedback from current staff so the online presence and reputation reflects the full picture, not just the extremes. Invest in employee development through mentoring, training, and a clear career pathway to boost morale and loyalty.
- Engage with All Feedback: Respond thoughtfully and professionally to all reviews. This demonstrates transparency and accountability to employees, candidates, and the donors watching from the sidelines.
- Manage Transitions with Integrity: How you handle separations is one of the most visible tests of your organization’s values. Offering outplacement and reemployment support during layoffs demonstrates that the commitment to people continues even after a role ends. It’s a crucial step in protecting morale and your public reputation.
Treat People Like People
Supporting staff with professional job search coaching is more than a compassionate act; it is also a critical form of reputation management. It provides a constructive outlet for departing employees, drastically reducing the likelihood that their frustration and anxiety will surface in a negative public review.
“I was upset, thinking my employer left me high and dry, but the coaching showed me a way forward.” ~ 501 Member Participant
Through your Trust membership, you can partner with NextJob to provide this support at no cost to your organization. Together, this support helps employees make successful career transitions while protecting the trust and reputation that sustain the mission.
The 501(c) Agencies Trust offers members complimentary reemployment packages, through NextJob, to help your laid off employees land jobs much more quickly. Contact us for more information on job search packages.
(Images by: Black-salmon and EyeEm)
