Employee review sites such as Glassdoor have recently been embroiled in legal disputes, as companies take umbrage at negative feedback posted on these platforms. In a recent lawsuit, CuraLinc, a mental health service provider, has sued a former employee for posting a disparaging review on Glassdoor.
The story first came to light through a Law.com Radar report. The complaint reportedly alleges damaging effects on CuraLinc’s reputation due to the negative review and accuses the former employee of contractual and fiduciary breaches.
As employee review sites become increasingly popular platforms for workers to share their experiences, and as a prospective employees use these sites for information when considering potential employers, the legal sector is likely to see more such cases in the future. The impacts of such lawsuits on free speech and the freedom to critique company practices promise to be a significant area of legal exploration.
While details are yet to fully emerge in the case of CuraLinc versus their ex-employee, this lawsuit could potentially set a judicial precedent regarding the legality of negative comments on employee review sites, and more broadly, on the internet.