Dispute Process

Last updated: July 1, 2026

File a Dispute

Disputes must identify a specific verifiable false statement of fact. Negative opinions and low scores are not grounds for removal.

ANTI-SLAPP NOTICE: The Respect Index operates under the protection of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (47 U.S.C. § 230) and California's anti-SLAPP statute (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 425.16). Any party that brings a meritless legal action against The Respect Index or its users arising from the publication of reviews or reports may be required to pay our attorneys' fees and costs. We do not remove content based on legal threats alone.

Who can file a dispute

Disputes may be filed by a verified representative of the company named in the report. Individuals filing on behalf of a company must provide documentation of their authority to act on the company's behalf, including company email address, title, and a signed attestation. Anonymous dispute filings are not accepted. Any dispute filed must be brought within one (1) year of the date the report was first published. Disputes filed after this period will not be reviewed.

What qualifies for dispute

A dispute must identify a specific, verifiable statement of fact in the report that you contend is false — for example, a claim that a specific event occurred on a specific date that company records contradict, supported by documentary evidence. The standard for removal is knowing falsity of a verifiable fact, not mere negativity, unflattering characterization, or disagreement with the submitter's opinion or experience.

What does not qualify for dispute

The following are not grounds for removal under this process: negative opinions about the hiring experience; low scores or ratings; reports that are critical but do not contain verifiable false statements of fact; reports that identify a pattern of behavior even if the company disputes the characterization; reports submitted by former employees about separation experiences; and reports whose removal is sought solely because they affect the company's score or reputation.

Our review process and timeline

We will acknowledge receipt of your dispute within 5 business days. We will complete our review within 30 business days of receiving a complete submission. During that period we may, at our sole discretion, contact the original report submitter to provide a response. We will notify you of our decision in writing. Our editorial decisions are final. We are not required to disclose the identity of report submitters at any stage of this process.

Possible outcomes

Following review, we may: (a) find that the dispute does not meet the standard for removal and take no action; (b) add an editorial note to the report indicating a company dispute was filed and reviewed; (c) correct a specific factual inaccuracy while retaining the remainder of the report; or (d) in rare cases where a report is found to contain knowing false statements of verifiable fact with clear documentary evidence, remove the report in whole or in part.

Legal requests and formal process

Attorneys acting on behalf of a company who believe a report meets the legal standard for defamation under applicable law may submit a formal legal request to legal@therespectindex.com. All formal legal process will be reviewed through counsel. Filing a legal action against The Respect Index for publishing user-submitted content may trigger California's anti-SLAPP statute, potentially requiring the filing party to pay our attorneys' fees and costs if the action is found to arise from protected speech or petition activity.