Should employers or potential employers be able to access your personal social media accounts to determine what you do in your personal life? Some employers argue that monitoring someone’s social media and other digital footprints will better allow for them to determine if they are hiring quality applicants, monitor if trade secrets are being shared, and to prevent other legal/financial liabilities. Some employers are even requiring currents staff and prospective applicants surrender their passwords to social media accounts as well as personal email accounts and other sources.
In 2016 there were 15 states that considered laws that would in some way protect one’s online digital footprint from being used undesirably against them. In 2016 Illinois, Nebraska, Virginia, and West Virginia enacted some sort of legislation protecting people’s social media accounts. There are currently 11 states that have some sort of legislation to protect prospective candidates and current employee’s digital presence.
The employment process escaped the traditional methods of vetting potential applicants. The previous screening process of criminal background checks, financial credit scores, and civil judgments are no longer the norm. Companies are now resorting to cyber-vetting. This process is looking at your digital presence on …show more content…
Companies need to better educate their staff about what is appropriate regarding communication or internal company affairs. Ensure employees are aware of the ramifications. They also need to ensure proper legal documents have been signed as well like non disclosure agreements and such. If companies feel that there has been some sort of violation regarding company information, legal experts should be consulted to ensure the rights of both parties are not violated and proper methods of search are executed
In 2016 there were 15 states that considered laws that would in some way protect one’s online digital footprint from being used undesirably against them. In 2016 Illinois, Nebraska, Virginia, and West Virginia enacted some sort of legislation protecting people’s social media accounts. There are currently 11 states that have some sort of legislation to protect prospective candidates and current employee’s digital presence.
The employment process escaped the traditional methods of vetting potential applicants. The previous screening process of criminal background checks, financial credit scores, and civil judgments are no longer the norm. Companies are now resorting to cyber-vetting. This process is looking at your digital presence on …show more content…
Companies need to better educate their staff about what is appropriate regarding communication or internal company affairs. Ensure employees are aware of the ramifications. They also need to ensure proper legal documents have been signed as well like non disclosure agreements and such. If companies feel that there has been some sort of violation regarding company information, legal experts should be consulted to ensure the rights of both parties are not violated and proper methods of search are executed