An Associated Press report this week profiled the experience of several job seekers who were asked for Facebook usernames and passwords when interviewing for prospective jobs.
The article stated that in cases where companies don’t ask for passwords to the popular social media site they will take other measures, such as asking interviewees to sign into their profiles during an interview.
Further, the article said people have been asked to sign non-disparagement agreements that bar them from posting negatively about their employers on social media websites like Facebook and Twitter.
The practice of asking prospective employees for Facebook passwords is more common in public agencies like law enforcement or 911 dispatchers, according to the AP.
The article said that in nearby Spotsylvania County the sheriff’s department asks applicants to “friend” background investigators as a step in their background check.
Thursday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch published an article that said Virginia state trooper applicants are required to sign into their Facebook profiles – and other social media websites – during an interview.
Read the entire AP report here.
Tell us: Should employers be able to check your Facebook profile while interviewing you?
I think it is better for people to not have these sites or if you have too administer the proper controls to protect themselves, their information, and reputation.
Dave, without a "good paying" job you wouldn't be able to pay for your "Civil Liberties"
http://mashable.com/2012/03/23/facebook-responds-employers-passwords/
Wow. Just . . . wow. You say you "need to know all!" and use an exclamation point. Interesting choice. I understand the necessity the things you mentioned (background check, poly, etc), but to ask for someone's Facebook password is, in my mind, akin to tapping phone lines, intercepting mail, running video surveillance, tracking visited websites, and finding out what books they check out of the library. Real big brother stuff. Do you also recommend doing those things for potential employees?? Based on this comment alone, I will tell anyone that asks to avoid employment from the city like the plague if this is an official directive. Just because it's easier to access doesn't mean it should be used in this fashion. And one last thing. Good luck defending yourself against discrimination suits when you don't hire someone after you get access to their profile and find out their age, religion, political affiliation, etc. This sword can cut both ways, and for those organizations that enact this policy, I sincerely hope it does.
I tend to agree with Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) that employers, when building their social media programs, start with an employee's bill of rights -- one that includes the right to privacy: http://bit.ly/GJLliu
It's not only about prospective employers, it's about CURRENT employers. When you "share" your life with others... you will also share it with employers unless you lock down your account and even then your employer may tell you that a condition of employment is to allow them to 'monitor' your life away from work. you like FB? good. I hope you like this aspect also! :-)
You post did not offend me, and thank you for your clarifications. And I agree that employers should attempt to find out as much as they can about potential employees, but there should be a limit to those attempts. Certain aspects of an individual's private life are just that - private. The issue discussed here is giving an employer access to a private network. Prior to Facebook, this would require a surveillance team, and would be deemed excessive. Now, if you have my account password, you can see my family's posts, including my underage children, and any person I have "friended" whether I am in physical contact with them or not. Now, you can see my daughter's personal information, pictures and posts between her and her friends. Not acceptable, especially from a governmental organization given the recent decisions regarding the Patriot Act and the Attorney General stating it is OK to imprison or assassinate american citizens without due process if they are merely suspected of being part of a terrorist organization. I guess I'm a believer in Franklin's liberty/safety quote. Again, I agree that you find out what you can, but there are limits to what you should be able to access, for the potential employees safety, as well as the organization.
So it's a bit ironic that someone citing ethics would ask someone else to violate terms of use and violate their friends and family's trust.
Excellent points. I was not thinking beyond only seeing the type of posts and interactions someone may be having on Facebook. When a potential employee undergoes a background investigation for a specific position in government, whether it be local or national government, their friends and family are not put under the same scrutiny as the applicant. Speaking for myself, I would have no issues with my employer looking at my Facebook, but I agree that would be an individual decision and we would not want an employer or the government mandating such an intrusion. Keep in mind I am only speaking about positions of public trust. My argument is all centered around assuring we have ethical, trustworthy people in public safety positions. I think we can all agree that is important. How we choose such people has been a point of contention for a long time. As Kari said earlier, the person who could come up with the perfect formula for that would be rich. I wish I had the answer. Great discussion!
To answer your question, the same type of information that would disqualify a potential applicant if discovered during a polygraph: sexual deviancy, inappropriate interactions with minors,excessive or recent drug use, as well as, any evidence of criminal activity which would paint the picture of a person lacking integrity or a risk to public safety.
As a fellow member of the fire service and a current Fire Chief, as much as I WANT to support your position, I can't. By REQUIRING an applicant to give out their Facebook (or any other social media) password, let alone login into during an interview, is an infringement of one’s privacy. Regardless if the applicant is vying for a public safety job. There are other ways we can conduct background checks without having access to a Facbook Account. My department has a Social Media Policy but it does not ask for passwords, etc. We have a Code of Ethics but it doesn’t ask for social media passwords. It works. For me, the only reason for having a Facebook Account is to keep track of my son’s account. His Account is “private” (I believe that’s what it’s called). So no, as a parent, I will protect a minor child over a job any day of the week by not giving out or allow access to my Facebook Account to any prospective or current employer! We can agree to disagree but at some point, what is private must and shall stay private.
Personally, I will never, ever give access to my FB page. If you want information on me, see my professional site on LinkedIn. You are hiring me based upon qualifications. NOT my personal life. Hiring an employee is a risk. Working for a company is a risk. Suck it up, employers. On the upside, a majority of HR folk say they don't have the time to go and search FB pages. It's hard enough just to find the right qualifications, without qualifying the qualified.