Employers & Facebook

In my job search process, I have read a couple of books to help me with career advice.  It always helps to know how to get ahead of the game and get pointers and tips, it can only make you stronger!

I was amazed that one book said, you might be asked for your Facebook Password in an interview.  Really?  You can’t ask me questions about my personal life, my sexuality but you can ask me for my Facebook Password.  Doesn’t seem right.

Lately in the headlines some employers have been asking their employees for their Facebook Passwords and if you don’t hand it over, then your fired.  That seems like a huge invasion of privacy.

I think that everyone has the right to some expectation of privacy, even though there really is no such thing as privacy in this day and age.  I mean there are cameras every place you go.  If you have a cell phone Law Enforcement can pay $1,50 and get pin point accuracy of your location.  The internet has brought about the ability for anyone to obtain a background check on you, for a fee of course.  So see there really is no privacy.

However, that be the case unless your trashing your employer or doing something illegal that involves or implicates your employer they really have no right to know about your private life.  Back when I was working, I mentioned that I had a blog and it was no big deal.  I was told as long as you don’t mention the company, then we really don’t care.

So now imagine your working along, things are going great and then the boss asks to talk to you.  It’s for one purpose… I need to know your Facebook Login and Password.  What would you do and Why?    Personally, I would explain that I am entitled to a private life and the company really has no business looking at my Facebook account and/or anything else that was not work related.  If that cost me my job, so be it.  I would proceed to retain an attorney to see what legal action could be brought.  Not to mention I would start looking for another job.

Thus far I have never been asked for my credentials by any former employer and by any prospective employer.  If your going to be that nosy, then there is a serious trust issue.  At that point it probably is better that we part ways.