Why Do Employees Need Social Media Background Checks?

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Social media was created as a means of communication within people across the world. With sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, many people engage in these websites to post how they feel, ranging from their thoughts, opinions, political views, pictures and etc. According to a 2013 survey by the Society of Human Resource Management, about 77% of companies are using social networking sites to recruit candidates for specific jobs. The answer on whether this act is appropriate or not depends on the job itself, given that different jobs require different qualifications. Employers should perform a background check on a potential employee's social media only if the job requires high qualifications, but there should be limitations. If the social media background check is to be performed, the employee should informed.
If applying for a job such as working in the government, it would be more appropriate (as compared to working at a fast food restaurant) to perform a limited social media background check. Jobs within the government require much more concentration and higher qualifications, making it harder to land jobs within that field. Due to this, any person seeking a job of this sort should meet certain expectations that simply cannot be conveyed on a job application; a limited social media background check can aid employers in this aspect.
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One thing about social media is that people post anything on there. What the individual posts on social media might not represent how they are in the workplace. If an employer finds something to question they can simply ask the potential employee to explain the reasoning behind it. An employer should have the individual sign a consent before they decide to conduct the search. A written consent will reduce the employer's potential liability, and an individual privacy rights will not be

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