Site lets employees tell off their bosses anonymously
January 29, 2009 by Fred HosierPosted in: Fun stuff on the Web, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views
As an HR pro, you’ve probably had your share of disgruntled employees asking you to send certain messages to their bosses, such as, “You’re an idiot.” Watch out! Now a Web site makes it even easier for them to do that.
The Anonymous Tip Giver does just that.
The new Web page from CareerBuilder.com allows people to send anonymous messages to their bosses and co-workers who drive them crazy.
Employees can choose one of four characters to deliver your message, such as a man playing the piano with his feet, a human alligator or a woman who looks like a hovering demon from the underworld.
After typing their message, users get to choose a voice, male or female, American or British accent.
Final step: Fill in the recipient’s e-mail address and hit “send.”
CareerBuilder will be airing an ad during the Super Bowl to promote the Web page.
Is this a good idea or not? Let us know what you think in the Comments Box below.
Tags: anonymous tip giver, disgruntled employees, tell off bosses
January 29th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Just sounds like a way to escalate petty grievances to me.
January 29th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Sounds ridiculous.
I can image people saying hurtful untrue things.
I agree with JVN it can escalate petty grievances (making mole hills into mountains)
January 30th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I don’t agree with this idea. It accomplishes nothing and just seems like immature behavior. Live, learn and cope.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:07 am
I can’t believe a professional website would promote such a thing. Opens the door wide for harasment.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Will it pull out profanily, racial slurs, etc.? If not, it is going to be a nightmare for HR professionals like myself. Also, an employee may send an irate e-mail in the heat of the moment & regret it afterward. I think it is a BAD idea & I am surprised CareerBuilder would even consider it.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Just like JVN said, I’m concerned it will escalate bullying in the workplace
January 30th, 2009 at 10:31 am
This won’t solve anything. The problems should be addressed in person. This is childish and will cause hard feelings. As an HR Professional, I will not recommend this!
January 30th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Immature and unprofessional.
Spend the time communicating instead, work it out.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Not a good idea. Would be a distraction, get out of hand quickly and just add to what might already be an existing sensitive situation.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I’m thinking it is not a great idea – and could get ugly very quickly.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:48 am
It sounds to me that CareerBuilder has decided these funny antics to attract candidates to their site has lost site of who their paying customors are – Corporate America and the “bosses” they are encouraging candidates to tell off. I’d suspect that they will lose some clients over this one.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Very juvenile.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:49 am
This is totally ridiculous. Sounds like this could possibly get out a hand in what an employee might want to tell their boss, especially when the employee could be the problem.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I think this is a bad idea. It facilitates individual employees harassing, threatening, or taunting supervisors. I believe that when problems exist, a face-to-face meeting is the way to deal with the issue so it can be resolved in a professional manner, or can be resolved through a 3rd party. This promotes the ability of employees (or bosses) to put down others, or worse. I would hope that most business block emails from this site.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Now this is what I call a “career limiting move.” Anonymous….I’m not so sure!
January 30th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Anonymous gripes don’t bother me. It just shows the sniveling type of person who would use this service rather than confront the problem head-on. It also shows the type of geeks running IT programs these days who think it is a worthwhile program.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:56 am
If you have a complaint or beef with someone, I think this a cowardly way out! I am surprised that Careerbuilder even came up with something like this. What ever happened to open door policies or think it but don’t say it! This is not professional! I like humor and a good joke but this is not funny!
January 30th, 2009 at 10:57 am
This is not a good thing, especially if the comments become personal. I’m concerned that the manager may retaliate in some way if they can potentially identify the individuals based on comments made. Way to make my job more difficult Career Builder!
January 30th, 2009 at 11:04 am
What happens when discriminatory or harassing messages are sent – will Careerbuilder cooperate with investigations? Really bad idea.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:07 am
This sounds childish and unprofessional to me. If you have an issue with someone, address it maturely, not in a hurtful manner such as sending a demon from the underworld. I’m disappointed that a site as large as Careerbuilder would promote something like this.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:07 am
This is an absolutely ridiculous idea and could create a hostile work environment for all employees! The manager could be busily trying to figure out who sent the message while the employee may gloat at that effort. Talk about a waste of time. This is not how an employee should provide feedback to their manager, and will not help any situation!
As an HR professional, I’m appalled that Career Builder would promote such a site. They should be helping people develop in their career, showing them how to get things done a better way — not promoting back-stabbing.
Is Career Builder trying to be a “Career Buster”?
January 30th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I’m not sure I understand the purpose of sending anonymous messages to someone who you’ve developed a professional relationship with who could make or break your career. I’m surprised CB would develop and put marketing $$ into this.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Hmm, I wonder what websites MY company should hire to advertise vacancies?
January 30th, 2009 at 11:12 am
JP has a great point!!
I agree with you completely!
January 30th, 2009 at 11:14 am
One of the worst idea’s I’ve ever heard of. This promotes hate and and more ill feelings. We already have enough of that in the world.
Why don’t you come up with a site that is a blessing to people that shows appreciation and gratitude.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:18 am
This ranks right up there as one of the worst business decisions of the year. It will cost CareerBuilder a fortune to advertise during the Super Bowl and will do nothing but create negative
reactions from businesses that might use them. Lets just throw out all the research on how to treat people and resort to childish, immature behavior in our attempts to build strong workplaces. I’d suggest they pull the ad.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Career Builder will be spending $2.6 for this 30 seconds of advertising during the Super Bowl. This gives me a very clear idea of the mind set of this company. As of 5 minutes ago I have pulled all postings from Career Builder and will put them with companies who are more financially responsible.
I hope other employers will do the same.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I agree with everyone, especially Sue. CareerBuilder needs the support of employers. Why would they do this? I definitely won’t consider them for recruiting if this comes to fruition.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Beth’s right, the anonymous nature of these messages will go out the window the first time CareerBuilder gets sued for transmitting threatening, harassing messages to a user’s co-worker. Despite CB’s disclaimer that they’re not responsible for the content of these “tips,” it’s unlikely that a judge or jury will let them off so easily. My guess is this clever little marketing move (let’s face it, the folks at CB are doing this to gather e-mail addresses — they get both the sender’s and the recipient’s) will ultimately backfire on the site’s owners. They’re gonna find out this kind of “service” is more trouble than it’s worth. Claiming they didn’t intend to injure others won’t impress anyone — least of all a judge. Nobody’s gonna believe they didn’t know this kind of service could be abused.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I disagree, actually. Not on the same respects, though. I think it could be used for other issues that often require anonymity. Like being a whistleblower. It would be great for employees to use the site and send an anonymous complaint to the supervisor to raise awareness of an issue or incident and to alert the employer of conflicts.
To use it just to call an employer an idiot, though, eh, not cool or worthwhile.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I can’t believe that CareerBuilder would even promote such a site. I would be appalled by this kind of behavior coming from my 14 year old son, now it’s being advertised by a so-called professional web company! Unbelievable. I will be planning to write to CareerBuilder and let them know how I feel and encourage others to do the same. I don’t plan to site by and watch while others are allowed to spur on such hateful acts. This goes beyond distasteful…it’s downright disgraceful.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:36 am
It appears that as HR professionals, we all agree with how unprofessional this is, but we should ALL let CareerBuilders know how we feel. They have immediately dropped to near the bottom of my preferred vendor list and I certainly will let them know. It’s not an issue of censorship; it’s just a very poor management decision.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:40 am
This is bad – for employers, employees and hopefully CareerBuilder.
January 30th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I think if it was just the preselected and somewhat humorous, might be ok. But letting them put in any comments, with take the funny characters to a completely different level. This will open up an uncertainty for some companies, especially in these times and battles we have all had to deal with due to the economy.
Negative is not needed at this time, at any level. Also, I look at one’s past employee’s not current sending in to get a past boss back.
Careerbuilder should look at the positives, not create the negatives.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Where did they get this idea – from a Dilbert comic strip? It may be funny in the comics, but far from funny in the real world. Bad move Career Builder.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
You must be kidding me?
I advertise with Career Builder and this makes me wonder if I want to continue doing so.
This can become a very dangerious thing, not to mention the legal issues that could posibly come up.
Not good, not good at all.
Business Office/HR Manager
January 30th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Total Nonense! In HR we work very hard to promote a harmonious environment, free from harrassment and so many other factors affecting employees and employers, not to mention treating each other like human beings. There is a much better and professional way to handle it if conflicts exists in the workplace. This isn’t being funny and could lead to huge problems. I for one would not want to be explaining to my superior execs/board members/owners of a claim that came out of something like this. CB really missed the mark with this one….
January 30th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Very immature… reminds me of a site called “The Rumor Mill”. This was a site divoted mainly to such immature and non-productive sort of behavior. I don’t think it’s a good idea, tempting to many, but not a good idea overall.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
That could be a double edge knife. Wouldn’t advice it’s use…besides it takes productive time away from employees. Does that make sense? Not to me.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
This is the worse idea ever! I work hard for my company to boost moral. I will not be advertising on careerbuilder if they go through with this ad.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Wow, what happens the first time a supervisor uses the information to discipline the “boss”? Offering a system to maliciously retaliate against somebody is a real bad idea.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
You can go to the CareerBuilder website and post a comment. They are already advertising this there as a “tipgiver.”
January 30th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
This is a horrible idea. Once it is advertised during the SuperBowl, it will be all over the place. I believe CareerBuilders has fogotten where they get their $, from the employers paying for their ads. I have used CareerBuilders in the past, as of 10 minutes ago, we are utilizing another source.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
What ever happened to encouraging professionals to practice the lost art of confrontation? Let’s bring that back. No one wants to say anything that may offend people any more. There are ways to constructively provide feedback to your boss without going off the deep end.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I think this is a HORRIBLE idea – it doesn’t allow for employee concerns to be addressed or be resolved. CareerBuilder has lost this customer.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Next time I need to decide between using Career Builder or another company, guess I’ll go with a more professional company than Career Builer.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Ummmm…possible defamation of character. Thrid party involvement…sounds like the making of a law suit to me.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
And they said we’re in a recession… wow, $3 million for Super Bowl ad!!! This is a stupid idea for an otherwise professional website and service. What were these folks thinking? Maybe they feel benefits outweighs the risks… the will be unintended consequences for sure…
January 30th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Very bad idea. Will create mistrust in the workplace. Anonymous feedback is not actionable. If you can’t give the feedback to their face, it’s worthless and destructive. Exactly what workplaces don’t need in this time of economic stress. Shame on CareerBuilder for building it, and for spending employers’ dollars to advertise it.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
The only good that could come of this would be if it had limitations on what could be said. If someone is dealing with a toxic boss, for example; then this could allow the boss to see the way they are presenting themselves, and it could protect the employee that is trying to tell the boss what they want to. It could be a good thing; but if it is left wide open; it will be bad. Maybe limit what can be said…. No profanity, racial slurs, etc….. If it is more balanced, then it could be resourceful but not in its current state. Rarely is the “open door policy” applied when you have a short tempered boss…
January 30th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I hope each HR professional that is disgusted with CareerBuilder let’s them know it by pulling our ads and telling them why! Let all of your HR colleagues know – our power could nip this awful idea in the bud if we put our HR weight behind it!
January 30th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
This just perpetuates the “my life is not my responsibilty” attitude. Bad form Career Builder.
January 30th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I called CareerBuilders this afternoon and spoke with one of their senior sales managers. I told him this is a real bad idea and I forwarded copies of many of these postings. He seemed to be concerned and will be passing along my concerns to their marketing department. I recommend others also call to complain.
January 30th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
To Rachel and Carl
Can you give us the Career Builder website address you accessed that will allow us to post a comment? I couldn’t find anyplace on their home page
Come on HR professionals let’s let them know how we feel!
January 30th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Amazingly enough, I just checked the CareerBuilder website again. They have removed my post and the entire forum that allowed for posting on the topic!
January 30th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
This is getting interesting!
January 30th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
http://thehiringsite.careerbuilder.com/fun-stuff/
Here is the link to the page where you can get to CareerBuilders page on “Fun Stuff” where you can access the “Interactive Tip Giver.” Even the characters they are using to “deliver the message” are beyond offensive – it’s disgusting.
January 30th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I first telephoned my CB representative and he connected me with the highest level sales manager available.
January 30th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
It’s really easy to contact CareerBuilder –
You can either call 1- 800-891-8880
Or go to Careerbuilder.com; on the upper right click on “employers”;
under “support” click on “help”;
on the right hand side under “additional support” click on “email CareerBuilder”.
It’s easy!! Let’s do it everyone – we have power in our numbers!!!
January 30th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
The plot thickens! Perhaps they realize they’ve bitten the hand that feeds them?
January 30th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
The 800 number works. jusr spoke to the marketing department and gave them my thoughts! Hope everyone else that is bothered by this does the same!
January 30th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I just sent in a lengthy email to their customer service department expressing my distaste. We’ll see if they respond or just hit “delete” like they did to my earlier posting on their website forum.
January 30th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I’m surprised that CareerBuilder would do something like this! I’ll be deciding whether or not I want to keep using them for posting my positions.
Also, why is it a woman who is the hovering demon? I already take offense!
January 30th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
This has NO PLACE in the WORK PLACE. Come on Career Builders, what are you thinking? This could create such chaos in the workplace. Just another way to make money, right ????
January 31st, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Just went to check out the site. It’s appalling. Even though the text conjoles users to “keep it in good fun,” I don’t believe that the average Joe will.
This is a sad idea in a bad economic time. Yes, there is plenty of anger out there and folks want a way to vent, but to use such a cowardly way as this says much for our culture. You have a job, and many others would be grateful to have your steady paycheck. Do you really need to bitch?
CareerBuilder has lost my confidence as a reputable site.
February 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 am
Did CB get the message and actually make a good decision deciding to pull the commerical? I didn’t see that ad during the S. Bowl.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 am
Dear BA
It aired. i hope they realize a $2.6 million drop in business as a result. I have pulled all current listings and blocked the use of Career Builder now and in the future company wide.
How about it, everyone…are you insulted enough to find another way to find qualified applicants for your company?
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:22 am
When did it air? I didn’t see it either. I saw one CB ad, but it didn’t seem to be this.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 am
While there is certain protection for outbursts of frustration, even those that include profanity, I think this is an irresponsible activity. Employers have a hard enough time dealing with grievances without anonymous potential harassment.
I guess we all need to make sure we have some amazing open door policies in place if websites like this are to exist!!
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
The posts I’m reading here may be a good indication of why HR folks get so little respect in most organizations.
You folks need to get over yourselves (not my words, by the way, the words of the HR person at my company!) and stop trying to contain discontent and find effective ways to channel it. The folks at CB know very well that their audience (clients, customers) includes a lot of people who hate their bosses and co-workers. Sending an anonymous e-mail from a free hotmail, g-mail, yahoo or aol account is a simple way to do it and every ticked off worker knows this. They don’t need the CB tool to do it, but it does make it easier.
CB can use this tool to attract people to its site who are fed up with their managers and colleagues and are looking for a new environment. These are potential job applicants, many of whom have been mis-managed, brutalized or marginalized by their current work environment. They could be good workers in your organization, they could expand the pool of potential workers that you have to choose from.
Instead, you’re focusing on the hassles this could cause you if managers actually find out what their reports think of them. You’re worried about folks getting the truth about management techniques or their lousy work habits and how they impact those who have to work with them.
Can’t you see how petty and silly you seem running around, acting like the sky is falling because some real messages might get out instead of the watered down HR-speak that’s all anyone ever gets anymore?
The problem here is more ineffectual HR policies that keep workers and managers from being honest with each other than it is about a lack of professionalism and using proper channels. Get a clue. Then you’ll see how tough it is out there and how sites like CB understand what workers want and need better than you probably do.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Hi Beverly
So how long have you worked for Career Builder.com?
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
If I thought they’d give me a job, I’d work for them in a New York minute. A company that gets reality and realizes that HR wimps out on the tough issues — now there’s a place worth working.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Beverly C…
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but you are out numbered. It’s a cowardly way of dealing with reality! I can’t see how this possibily will be useful. It’s also our jobs to protect otthers from being harassed and bullied no matter what the other person really meant to say! You need to get a clue and another job!
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
If I thought they’d give me a job, I’d work for them in a New York minute. A company that gets reality and realizes that HR wimps out on the tough issues — now there’s a place worth working. I notice you can’t attack the substance of my argument, only suspect my motivations. Typical HR,
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Being outnumbered doesn’t mean I’m wrong, just means that you HR folks are delusional about managing discontent and communications. If workers don’t think they can be honest with their managers or co-workers, then this kind of tool is going to find a home no matter what you folks think.
The bigger problem here is that stifling discontent and trying to control communication frustrates and infuriates people. Nobody here seems to care about that, only that if people express their really opinions and feelings, the world as we know it might end. Why not try discussing this real problem, instead of worrying about how much work it might make for you?
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Beverly,
I have worked for years in Human Resources and have enjoyed every aspect, including the challenges. I have seen the damage harassment has had on employees, it can make coming to work very difficult for them so training employees on how to communicate with each other, get their point across with respect is important; training supervisors and managers on how to communicate with their staff, etc., etc. also important. A company that an employer pays to post their open positions (and yes as you put it attract applicants) creating an avenue for people to attack each other while at work is unusual.
When I saw this site, I did show our COO and CEO, both very business minded, do a great job running our agency, and both were pretty disappointed and disgusted in CareerBuilders.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
OK, IMHO; this tool that CB in introducing can be a double-edge sword. In one way, it can be a way for employees to communicate their frustrations to their employers; and that is always a good thing as long as it is handled professionally and respectfully. The last thing we want to do is to encourage anyone (employer or employee) to be disrespectful when conveying how they feel. That creates a hostile work environment and is hard on everyone; not just HR. However, I truly feel that for this tool to be helpful there must, I repeat MUST be limitations as to what an employee can say or do on it. Without boundaries and rules; chaos takes over. Our whole lives revolve around rules and this should not be an exception. Besides, if the disgruntled employee is allowed to say whatever they please; without boundaries; then they are going to create a work environment that will be 10x worse than what they had to begin with. How would you feel if you got emails where you were called every name in the book, for example?
The point is, I feel that with proper filtering of comments that are not respectful and proactive; this tool can be effective. But if there are not limitations on it; we are feeding a destructive cycle that will eventually hurt not just HR; but everyone associated with the company that is receiving this negative feedback. And that will ultimately affect CB as well.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Very well said, Cheryl.
Also, I would dare say, Beverly, that you have never had the pleasure of responding to an EEOC or state human rights commission harrassment complaint, or for that matter a law suit. I think what many often lose sight of, is that it is not typically HR folks who “can’t get over themselves”, but an employee who has taken a real or perceived slight as the end of the world and lodged a complaint or suit.
HR’s “ridiculous” policies are not usually written implemented at random or to please an HR manager, but in response to specific situations that need to be remedied and/or in hopes of avoiding problems that have already come up elsewhere in the business world.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Why would you want to tell your boss off why would you be working for him if you had hostile feelings? My boss is great we have a good professional relationship he is understanding and approachable. He tells it like it is right up front and yes he has his bad days but what human being doesn’t!
This site just shows the lack of professional minds and my thought is they don’t believe in customer service.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I think it can be used as a constructive tool for those who see the value in open communication. Many employees do not feel empowered to give suggestions or constructive critisism. A suggestion box is great, but doesn’t always secure you anonymity (ie. recognize handwriting). I agree however, that in many offices this type of tool would get out-of-hand and create a hostile work environment. On the other side of the coin, I would want to know if I had bad breath, body odor, or was a close talker. Even harsh critisism can force a person to look at their behaivor and entertain a different perspective. Self reflection can be tremendous for personal growth. This however, is asuming that the person recieiving critique is mature enough to take it for whatever value its worth. Management is always going to be a target for harsh critisism. That is the nature of the beast. A venue to vent frustrations may be cathartic. Also, I think the recipient should place a copy of any annonymous suggestions on their door. By doing this, you are sending a
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
JVN: You make some good and valid points. However, the abundance of “policies” that HR allows to be enacted seem only designed to protect the owners/stockholders of a company and to stifle real communication between not only workers and managers, but between colleagues. In their fear, they’ve allowed or encouraged the development of an unnatural work environment that limits creativity, demoralizes workers and alienates people from their community of work.
I see a somewhat passive acceptance of this status quo on the part of many HR professionals. I’ve worked for two Fortune 500 companies and one mid-size business. In every case, the HR team was rarely creative or pro-active about issues. They were almost always reactive and defensive. They delivered layoff news, rolled out benefit cuts and processed paperwork. But push back against bad managers or a tyrannical CEO or an abusive manager — never seen it happen in my 29-year career. HR didn’t work for the workers, they worked for the owners. And the employees knew it.
This tool from CB is a tiny weapon for the workers’ arsenal. My concern is that the HR folks don’t like the end run around their fence of control around bad owners and bad managers.
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
In my mind, it may be considerable for a brief moment that this could somehow be viewed as a professional tool for employees who didn’t feel empowered to offer suggestions or constructive criticism at the workplace IF it were presented in that fashion. It is not.
The character delivering your message includes choices between a shoeless man sprawled on top of a fax machine, a waving man with his nipples exposed, and a demon-possessed looking woman standing on the top of her desk. This is NOT a forum for professional conversation; it is an exploitation of workers who sadly aren’t empowered in their job and are compelled for whatever reason to remain in that position without learning how to effectively confront the situation and then want to spew pent up frustration at their supervisor in an “anonymous” manner.
I find that a sad commentary that so many employees find it necessary to stay in a job where they didn’t feel comfortable to offer suggestions or provide feedback in the workplace. My suggestion to CareerBuilder is to take the millions spent in advertising and apply it toward some actual training for management on how to be better listeners and for employees on how to be more effective communicators.
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Now there’s a suggestion that make some sense. Bravo, Rachel.
February 2nd, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Rachel, I have read all of the entries for this topic and I like your idea however, I doubt the company will do it. Career Builder certainly took a step down implimenting this idea…even if it was meant to be entertaining to some. In these difficult times one can easily find himself or herself on the outside looking in if they voice their opinion in an antagonistic fashion. That isn’t to say they should not voice there opinion.
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 am
Our company has used Careerbuilder in the past, but you have give us a solid reason to advertise with Monster.
Your anonymous gripe boards the worst marketing decision since New Coke. Your target demographic is exactly the one we want to avoid: immature job applicants with poor judgment, tendencies to blame and complain, and who lack the abilities to work as a team and communicate effectively. Unmistakeable branding, Careerbuilder. Count us out.
Linda Blaine
Human Resources
Health Care Logistics
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Beverly
It is plain to see that you have had some very unfortunate experiences with HR folks in your career. Not all of us answer only to the bosses. And those who are perceived to are operating in a dysfunctional company culture.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Well, I for one would love a way to vent… because I do not have an outlet and I am the dang HR Director. But for the Beverly’s out there, you have to understand that HR can be strangled by owners and upper management. I can only consult and suggest and push so far and when there is no money for training or office support so that I can get out there and LISTEN and TRAIN managers to listen, then yeah all I do is paperwork and cry myself to sleep when I see my awesome benefits package get flushed because a stakeholder wants more money for themselves.
Beverly… I want communication and policies that both protect the company and promote employee development. What we see here on this board is the age old “blame HR” bull. If I had a budget and someone to HELP me in this office I could do so much more for employees who feel slighted and unheard. But I DO NOT NEED a website allowing rude and unprofessional comments being sent to my employees. Too much room for harassment and discrimination.
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
CareerBuilder made a bad business call and the HR professionals that have commented on the subject appear to be in agreement that it is a gross mistake. HR however, is a tool of management needs to be enforce company policy, while being organizational developers, obudsmen, and consultants all rolled into one. Employees however, frequently do not see a neutral party when differences occur, that are not necessarily covered by company policy or law.
When personality clashes interfer with communication it is easy to point blame on the Boss and conclude that the world is wronged the employee so on emay assume it is only fair to verbally and anonymousily attack those in control. In reality it doesn’t resolve anything as such, people carry a grudge sometimes for decades and any sense of cooperation there after is not without complaint of “the remember when” attitude.
With everything said in this string isn’t it time we move on to other topics such as, E-verify, the new standards of FMLA, or the impact the economy is having on retirement programs and unemployment?
February 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Editor’s note: Topics such as E-verify, new FMLA standards and economic impact are all covered in our other HR Web sites. You can access them in the right-hand column under “Visit our other HR sites.”
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I agree with most of the others responding – this anonymity gives people the ability to be hurtful and vendictive, seemingly without recourse. It seems very irresponsible on the part of Career Builders to provide and encourage a site like this. Companies pay to post their ads on their site and definitely there are plenty of sites begging for the advertising dollars.
Secondly, There is no resolution if there is no conversation between the boss and the employee.
Most importantly, NO ONE wants to see all their perceived faults flaunted for public humiliation. Infact, I would bet that if the tables were turned, and the boss was found to be putting these negative statements out on the one of these social networks, some attorney is going to bring up the idea of slander, defamation of character, pain & suffering blah blah blah.
This begs the question: why don’e people just follow the golden rule: do onto others as you would have do onto you?
February 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Josh, I hate to mention the obvious, but you might wanna try using the Career Builder site to tell your bosses how regressive and morale killing many of their policies and actions are.
My point is merely this: Most employees don’t see HR as working for them, they see it as a tool for manipulating workers and protecting the company from disgruntled employees. They do the dirty work for the folks who are making the most money, getting the most perks and getting their pound of flesh from the rank and file. Where has HR been when compensation for execs at major corporations has soared while those at the bottom of the food chain are laid off or having their wages, hours and benefits cut? What has HR done to warn of the widening gap between the highest and lowest paid workers in a most companies? They’ve been silent. They’ve done the bidding of their bosses and lost the respect of their fellow workers.
It might be nice to see some kind of legislation that really empowers HR to make the workplace better for everyone — owners and workers alike. Because it’s been shown time and time again that workers who are treated well, compensated fairly and encouraged to balance work and personal life are more creative, more productive and more valuable than those who are not. As it is, HR’s become just a hammer; they department that delivers the bad news and insulates the bosses from criticism and litigation.
Do employees behave badly and make mistakes? You better believe it. But they hear about it over and over and over again. They get performance reviews, compensation reviews and demotions. They get fired. What’s their recourse when a manager behaves badly or messes up?
Hence the evolution of the Career Builder site. Don’t blame CB for giving working folks what they need and want: A voice and a way to tell those who control their lives that they’re doing a lousy job. If HR could actually be a conduit for legitimate complaints and concerns, this site would die on the vine. As it is….
February 4th, 2009 at 9:53 am
So, im hearing a lot of negativity about this new viral campaign CB has launched. So can any of the “Proffesionals” here provide me any actual instences of abuse/slander/Discrimination/insulting that has come from this tool? It seems to me there are several people jumping on the Bandwagon and supporting what the person before them thought. I think we are all adult enough to make strategy and recruitment solutions based on deliverables and pull through from our vendors. Lets all take a step back and relax before we start pulling budgets and slandering our vendors for what we “think” might happen.
February 4th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I would rather be with a company like Monster that spends their money to more relevant tools and features. The new Monster is awesome. CB’s Tip Giver is a useless tool when when finding relevant and serious job seekers. I dont see any potential candidates looking at Career Builder because employers are going to see this immature tool and expect that type of seeker to follow suit. Monster is going to dwarf CB
February 4th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Lance…
Point taken. I will honestly say I would love to use the site to tell someone off. But its not how its done. I don’t any documented abuse to know its irresponsible to offer that service. I have dealt with MySpace bashing 3 times in the last year and that isn’t anonymous at all. Now add anonymity to the mix?? I don’t think so. What about company policy prohibiting improper use of email? Sending emails to coworkers from an anonymous site for reasons other than business… not good. But how do you know who to go after. This is all just a mess
Someone else here kind of made a good point. Something in the way off treat the cause not the symptom. Do employees and coworkers need to vent?? Sure!! They are even protected by law to a certain degree. But I for one have been working my tail off to create a culture of HR where employees can see the open door. I don’t need my work undermined.
I am 50/50 on the site. Whatever.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Nice to see that Josh can even begin to see both sides of this issue. He’s the kind of HR person I’d like to have in my company.
My experience with “open door” policies is that they’re almost always booby trapped. The problem for HR folks is that they become pawns of the upper management. How to prevent that, I don’t know. But I wish you guys would figure it out instead of railing against one tiny tool workers might have to push back against tyrannical bosses and obnoxious co-workers.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I love working in HR and working for my particular company. HR has a “seat at the table”, and we’ve been very effective at steering the pres and others back onto the path, when things have started to go awry.
I have also worked in some really toxic environments of the type Beverly describes, and I am very sorry for Beverly and all the others who seem to be stuck there.
Do I think this site is a good idea? No, not really. While there may be some legitimate, constructive criticism that comes from it, mostly it will be a forum for bashing and hatefulness. I think CB has lost sight of where their revenue stream originates – with employers, who obviously have a tremendous likelihood of being offended by this. Am I worried about it causing problems, for us specifically? No. We have a good work enviroment and a strong enough rapport with our workforce that one more inappropriate forum on the net probably won’t affect us at all.
Anyway, best to you all. Times are tough out there.
February 4th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I agree with Shell b. I have pulled all my cb advertisements and took the straight to Monster.com.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Its not that I cant see both sides of the argument. I think the tool is used more to drive traffic to the site of unhappy employees looking for a better opportunity, and NOT as a business tool for employer/employee relations. The problem is, this feature will attract the type of job seeker that employers aim to avoid. Who would want to hire somebody who wants to tell them they have hampeter breath? (Thats actually an example of a “tip” by CareerBuilder). No thanks, I’m taking my business elsewhere. Badly played CB.
February 6th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Wow! This string has been going on for over a week. CB in their efforts to attract new job seeking EEs has in turn also lost employers to Monster.com. The sad part of their campaign is not to give a voice to employees specifically. It’s an attraction strategy that I believe will fail in the long term because, professional HR managers are going to see what everyone else has commented on…it is more of a problem than a benefit. Not every employee works in an environment that is open to comments, positive or negative, and voicing negative feedback isn’t appreciated nor is it tolerated. That is a depressing state of affairs and I feel sorry for those trapped in such an environment. The reality however, is that given all that has been said in this string it has had little effect on CB’s plan. Even phone calls to Career Builder voicing disagreement has not altered their implementation of the site. We’ll just have to wait for the down fall. In the mean time enjoy the weekend.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Just a clue folks: If CB hasn’t killed the site, it’s working for them. If they were losing business because of it, they’d yank it in a minute. Apparently, they’re more interested in pleasing job seekers than posters. There’s more supply (workers) than demand (jobs) these days anyway, and that’s where they’ve put their money.
The only conclusion is that employers aren’t abandoning CB. They smart ones apparently seei that CB gets the kind of traffic that expands their applicant pool; what good company wouldn’t want as big an applicant pool as they could get? Sure, you may not like their methods, but isn’t your job in HR to attract as many qualified candidates as possible? Just because someone’s dissatisfied with their job and wants to vent, doesn’t mean they’re not skilled and talented. Maybe it’s just that they’re frustrated and stifled.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Beverly – interesting perspective. Fact is, CB will not feel the effect for months due to packaging and billing cycles, etc. By then it will be too late. In your last posting, you stated that “just because someone’s dissatisfied with their job and wants to vent, doesn’t mean they’re not skilled and talented.” Maybe, but to vent anonymously DOES mean that they are unprofessional, bitter and immature and most likely a high-maintenance employee…and an employee we would prefer not to have at our company, regardless of their skill and talent.
And, by the way, please remember your support of this idea when YOU receive an anonymous e-mail from someone at your workplace that is hurtful and cruel…and provides you no way to address the situation. Enjoy walking around the workplace wondering who dislikes and disrespects you that much. Maybe it will mean nothing to you but to most people, it will be one of the worst days of their lives.
What’s wrong with this site has nothing to do with extra work or who is right or wrong…what’s wrong with this site is that it is designed to hurt, disrespect, insult, and offend people.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Time to move on folks…we’ve killed this subject several times over. Let CB do their thing and remember the good times will return and CB may find themselves on the outside looking at the inside and wondering where all the employers went…monster.com