According to recent data shown in the ‘Risky Business: Reputations Online', Sixty seven per cent of companies are at risk of damaging their reputation online. The survey was conducted among senior executives in countries around Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific half way through 2008. The survey by PR company, Weber Shandwick found that this concern came from two main sources: misdirected emails and employee sabotage. Contrary to expectations, the study revealed that 87 per cent of global executives admitted to either sending or receiving at least one incorrect message. "The unintended and unexpected consequences of misdirected electronic messages can taint, sometimes permanently, company reputations in seconds," according to the survey. Therefore it is important for companies to be aware of the information its employees are posting on websites that rate their employees.
The survey also showed that 66 per cent were unaware of employees badmouthing their companies online, 21 per cent of CEO's and chairmen were concerned about employees posting work-related discussions on social networking and video-sharing sites.
PR company Weber Shandwick stated that "Leaders' short-sightedness about employees going online to complain about their bosses, discuss salaries and leak confidential information highlights one of the most dangerous threats to corporate and professional reputations now and in the years ahead"
