All organisations have an employer brand. It's the way in which organisations differentiate themselves in the labour market, enabling them to attract, recruit, retain and engage the right people. A strong employer brand helps businesses compete for the best talent and establish credibility. It should connect with an organisation’s values and must run consistently through its approach to people management.
This factsheet looks at why employer brand is important, particularly for recruiting and retaining talent, the organisation’s employee value proposition and the steps you can take to develop your employer brand.
This factsheet was last updated by Rebecca Peters: Research Adviser, CIPD
Rebecca leads on several research projects including the People Profession Survey which provides a snapshot of the current HR landscape on an international scale. Rebecca regularly presents her research at conferences and business events and is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice.
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The use of social media only increases the importance of continued attention to the employer brand and reputation. Organisations need to be particularly aware of both the positive and negative feedback that can be given by past or present employees on social media. Cyber attacks, hackers and fake news are another modern threat to organisations and their online content. Organisations should plan for this, address negative feedback and breaches quickly and monitor where necessary.