Employees Facebook Credentials Should Be Seen by Businesses?

Though Facebook is the most popular social network amongst business users, they are still skeptic on how their employees use it. There have been several incidents where employees have been fired because their Facebook updates have been considered to be offensive/ unsuitable by their employers. This never-ending debate got re-ignited last week when Officer Robert Collins, a Maryland resident was forced to reveal his Facebook credentials during a recertification interview with the Maryland Division of Corrections (DOC).

Collin’s case is being pursued by The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which subsequently sent a letter (PDF) to Public Safety Secretary Gary Maynard on behalf of Collins, demanding an explanation of why it’s seeking social network account usernames and passwords for employee background checks.

A number of businesses (small and large) scan Facebook to see through public information of their employees as well as prospects. However, asking people to do away with their credentials in the name of “verification” and “background checks” doesn’t seem fair to me.

Privacy

Facebook’s privacy controls have always been a keenly debated topic. Though the world’s leading social network has brought in a number of changes to simplify the privacy aspects, a lot more still needs to be done. In hindsight, if employers get hold of your Facebook credentials, does it really matter what kind of privacy settings you have?

Personal vs. Professional Life

IMO, employers have no right to forcibly peep into people’s business lives. Employees contribute effectively to an organization’s growth when they keep their personal and professional lives apart. And the same holds true for employers as well. What employees do in their personal time is none of their business as long as it’s not affecting their productivity.

This incident is also a reminder that Facebook now plays a key role in personal lives of people and can’t anymore be written off as just another social network.

Ethics

Of course, employees should follow a strict ethical code on their part and refrain from using Facebook as a media to compromise their employer’s sensitive information or post updates which bring disrepute to their business’ brand. I agree that business should have a “zero tolerance” approach to any attempts from their employees to malign their image on social networks.

However, forcing employees to reveal their Facebook credentials doesn’t sound to be an ethical business practice for sure.

Do you think business should have the right to know their employees Facebook credentials in the name of “background checks” and “verifications”? Would you be willing to share your Facebook username and password with your current/ prospect employer? Please share your opinion by leaving a comment below this post.

Total
0
Shares
63 comments
  1. Absolutely not! No way should employers have the right to our FB username and password, nor would i be willing to give it! Nothing to hide, just none of their business.

  2. I do think only those companies which havefailed in their responsibility should follow this part.This responsibility is simple: having a policy, guide(jointly agreed on by managemenet and staff) for staff behaviours on social media should be concerened about that. Also they must have earned their corporate confidence.
    If this had not been done the comapny should monitor.But in most cases,such exercise yields no meaningful result.

  3. I am completely against the fact of demanding one’s Facebook credentials, but I also think each of us should play smart.
    Of course people working for me has got a Facebook account, and they have got “wild” nights out like each of us at some point of their lives. But they are smart enough to use Groups to share pictures like that, and anyway the content isn’t too bad to begin with.
    My point is, play smart. If you work for some social service company and you’re photographed while getting your ass drunk, well, yeah, it’s not really the company’s fault for “monitoring” your Facebook account.
    We should all begin to act with the assumption everything we do, at all times, will be public for everyone to see, because Facebook is moving exactly in that direction, and we all helped this transition, willing or not.

  4. Abso-freaking-lutely not. I don’t care if you’re working for the NSA, this is no different than allowing them access to your email, your diary, or your home. Unless you think people are the property of their employers, I can’t see any reasonable scenario where letting them sift through your private life is any of their damn business.

  5. The City of Bozeman, Montana tried to implement a similar policy in the summer of 2009. The policy last less than 24 hours because of the national backlash they received. Here’s a link to one of the stories about it, on Mashable. com: http://mashable.com/2009/09/03/bozeman-montana/.

    Last fall I wrote a white paper on the subject of “social screening,” which relates to this post. It’s called, “Social Screening: Employees – and Organizations – Beware.” It can be accessed via http://tiny.cc/SocialScreeningPaper. I wrote a follow-up blog post entitled, “Social Screening: The Expanded Discussion,” which can be accessed via http://tiny.cc/SocialScreeningFU.

    Finding the right approach to social media policies is critically important, and many organizations are guilty of overreaching. A couple of weeks ago, for example, the NLRB settled its “Facebook case” with an employer (AMR), and one of key terms of the settlement was that the employer agreed to revise its “overbroad” policy. I wrote about this case both when the complaint was filed and after it was settled. Here are links to each piece: http://tiny.cc/SMinOrgsNLRBpost and http://tiny.cc/SMinOrgsNLRBsett.

    This week I’ll be publishing a post on social media policies that addresses the issue in a more holistic way. This is an important issue that requires a thoughtful, balanced approach.

    Courtney Hunt – Founder, Social Media in Organizations (SMinOrgs) Community

  6. This story has generated a mini media firestorm in the past week. I have been sharing my thoughts on various articles and blog posts, and I finally decided to write my own reflection as well. Here’s a link to it: http://tiny.cc/4hkbu). One underreported “fact” I learned in doing a little additional research is that a representative from Maryland’s DPSCS says they do not have a policy that requires job candidates to provide login information, so the case may not be as clear-cut as it seems. It will be interesting to see how this case finally gets resolved…

    Courtney Hunt
    Founder, Social Media in Organizations (SMinOrgs) Community

  7. What is more interesting for me is why a company should want access to an employee’s facebook account? That is a complete shift away from what the company is there for and has nothing to do with their purpose. If a company has so little trust of their employees that they feel they want to go into their facebook accounts, they need to review their recruitment processes as well as how they deal with people. The purpose of a business is not to snoop around people’s facebook accounts! Trust is earned and this type of behavior would not foster the spirit of trust in your organization.

  8. I simply want to mention I’m very new to blogging and site-building and seriously liked this web blog. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You really come with exceptional well written articles. Thanks for revealing your blog site.

  9. You understand thus considerably on the subject of this matter, made me individually believe it from numerous numerous angles. Its like women and men are not involved unless it is something to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. At all times care for it up!

  10. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return.

  11. I believe one of your current advertisements triggered my internet browser to resize, you might well need to set up that on your blacklist.

  12. My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

  13. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  14. This is often a wonderful site, would you be interested in working on an interview regarding just how you made it? If so e-mail me personally!

  15. Have you given any consideration at all with translating your current web site in to Spanish? I know a small number of translaters right here that would certainly help you do it for free if you wanna get in touch with me.

  16. Hello, you used to write excellent, but the last several posts have been kinda boringˇK I miss your great writings. Past few posts are just a bit out of track! come on!

  17. Hahaha he says the same shit that odd future does just a lot less talented… and Odd Future doesn’t even care to respond to his little diss because they know they have a future and don’t need to waste time worry about some kid like Hopsin the will? die of in a few years.

  18. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. thank you

  19. The look for the weblog is a little bit off in Epiphany. Even So I like your website. I might need to install a normal web browser just to enjoy it.

  20. If you dont mind, exactly where do you host your weblog? I am shopping for a very good web host and your blog appears to be fast and up all the time

  21. Hello there, I discovered your site via Google whilst searching for a related subject, your web site came up, it seems to be good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  22. Employers want you to come in prepared to show that you have done your homework. They expect you have taken the time to learn about their organization and its goals. They also need that you show very particularly how you can make [url=http://www.newmiumiushop.com/%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%90%E3%83%83%E3%82%B0-c-95.html] miumiu bag [/url] a [url=http://www.newmonclerdownsjp.com/%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB-%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-c-94_96.html] モンクレール レディース ダウン [/url] contribution to the firm’s bottom line. The objective of an alternative job searching magic formula is to come at the job marketplace from a completely different [url=http://www.newtoryburchjpsales.com/%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%83%81-%E3%82%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%A1%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%81-c-160.html] トリーバーチ コスメポーチ [/url] viewpoint. For example, you discover to see task research from and the employer’s stage of view. When you do, then you will also value discovering the massive benefit you have when you do your homework and you come to a encounter-to-face meeting or interview armed with essential insider info. You are prepared to put into action 1 of the most powerful and exciting option task hunting secrets and techniques around. It’s known as “task development!”That’s correct! You can actually produce a task for your self on the place. Here is what to do (following you’ve carried out your homework):1. List in writing the specific locations inside the company where [url=http://www.jptoryburchsales.com/%E3%80%90%E5%8D%B3%E7%B4%8D%E3%80%91%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%83%81-selma-riding-boot-%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E3%83%96%E3%83%BC%E3%83%84-%E2%98%86-%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9-%E3%83%AD%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0%E3%83%96%E3%83%BC%E3%83%84-%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89-p-33.html] トリーバーチselma Riding Boot [/url] you bring some thing unique to the table. This is not a evaluation of [url=http://www.marcjacobsbagsjpn.com/%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E3%83%90%E3%82%A4%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF-%E3%83%88%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88-c-42.html] マークバイマークジェイコブス ナイロントート [/url] your function history. Show the particular division, products, solutions, etc. within the organization where your proposal would use.2. Deliver an email or letter to the choice-maker who would have an active curiosity in the kind of proposal you wish to present. Do NOT inquire for a task. Rather, briefly outline the specifics you bring to the table for fixing a particular problem, or contributing [url=http://www.newmiumiubagjp.com/%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%90%E3%83%83%E3%82%B0-c-95.html] miumiu bag [/url] to growth, or opening up new doorways for the business, etc. Then inquire to satisfy for a dialogue of your ideas or proposal. Show you’d like to contact soon to established up such a meeting.three. Put together a “Bio-Motion” resume specifically developed to back again up your alternative task searching proposal.4. Do NOT go in for an job interview, but instead [url=http://www.mbtbootsjp.com/] mbt アウトレット [/url] to talk about your proposal to see if there is any curiosity. What is exciting about this alternative task hunting magic formula approach is that neither you nor the employer is below any pressure to make a job choice. An chance can emerge if you are great at displaying the value you deliver to the table. As soon as again this takes planning–doing your [url=http://www.marcjacobsbagsjpn.com/] マークバイマークジェイコブス [/url] homework.When you method a carefully focused business and the particular choice-maker who could have a real curiosity in you, you have dramatically moved the odds in favor of a finding a concealed opportunity for [url=http://www.newmiumiubagjp.com/%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E8%B2%A1%E5%B8%83-c-96.html] ミュウミュウ 財布 [/url] your self. And you’ve eradicated all the competitors!

  23. When I was young I was happy. My father stated, “What is the factor you would like most in the globe”. I said, “Joy”. He questioned if I would not prefer a Rolls Royce but I said no. If I was happy, I would not need a Rolls Royce.And I was happy with the work at school. Able to do the work but not really interested in it except to go to the restrict with it, to discover out if my curiosity continued with it.People are lucky if they can find and discard interests [url=http://www.2013toryburchsjp.com/%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%90%E3%83%BC%E3%83%81-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%83%AB-c-10.html] トリーバーチ サンダル [/url] quickly. Attempted that and found the limit. Got bored and moved onto more fascinating things.Moving onto more fascinating items is evolution. Been there. Carried out That. Bought the Tea Shirt!Staying with the exact same factor only indicates we have not however noticed deeply into it. This seeing deeply into it also is evolution. But once you have noticed, you should transfer on.It was sort of like performing a crossword puzzle to discover out if I could do it. But ultimately useless. There is no meaning in gathering examinations. Exclusively as a indicates of performing some thing. What?So, I gathered examinations. And through that I collected self-discipline.What produced me less than happy was the other people. Unpredictable and psychological.By accident I tried Yoga. At the age of sixteen I received so relaxed and [url=http://www.newmarcbymarcjacobsjp.com/] マークバイマークジェイコブス [/url] able to entry intelligence and power that I continued to do Yoga each and every night for numerous many years. Something I informed no-1 about simply because I thought they may deride me. “Keep it secret, keep it secure”, stated Gandalf.Following operating at a Joint Honours Diploma in Physics and Electronic devices, because my ambition at that time was to be another Einstein, I discovered work problematic. I could not effortlessly engage in aims that were not my correct love. At 21 after research in art and the background of artwork I was able to spend 2 weeks creating a hundred paintings all of which I sold. I investigated [url=http://www.cheapferragamosalejpn.com/salvatore-ferragamo-%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AC%E3%83%A2%E9%9D%B4-%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA-%E3%83%A1%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA%E3%80%80%E3%83%93%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%BC-p-273.html] フェラガモ シューズ [/url] photography.I wrote a well obtained guide on Advanced Style Techniques in Software because I wanted to and continued to function in Computer systems.Individuals ongoing to be mysteries.The way politics and the world labored was a thriller also.At the age of 28 I invested 3 many years exploring Aikido and becoming a Yoga Instructor. I spent 1 year meditating each and every evening alone. Via this I was luckily able to meet and apply with the worlds best enlightened teachers like Zen Grasp Hogen and later, a more enlightened Master Swami Satchidananda.Via many years of expertise with my teachers in meditation and enlightenment I found that the thoughts was restricted. There had been quicker, larger and greater computers we were linked to which gave much better solutions. One is called Instinct. Another is [url=http://www.miumiujp2013.com/%E6%96%B0%E4%BD%9C%E5%85%A5%E8%8D%B7-miumiu-%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A6-2way-%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%AB%E3%83%80%E3%83%BC-%E3%83%90%E3%83%83%E3%82%B0-p-582.html] miumiu bag [/url] known as Psychic Eyesight. My lecturers gave me expertise of all this.As soon as that was obtained then individuals had been explained.Then I began to comprehend the world.I am and have always been pleased.As soon as I understood that my happiness was bound up in the joy of other people I projected to teach Happiness and enlightenment to the Globe.It is made up of declaring, and I am paraphrasing the 5000 year old words of Maharishi Patanjali here, “Following all that, right here are total instructions on Enlightenment”. “All that”, is everything you have at any time carried out. The “Total Instructions”, are on Meditation. And meditation is the only thing in my life which has by no means finished up in boredom and because of a restricted goal, discomfort. It retains going deeper and deeper.As soon as you have noticed deeply into every thing in this globe and found it seeking, then you know [url=http://www.newmonclerjacketsdown.com/%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB-%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9-c-61.html] モンクレール ダウン レディース [/url] that the maximal human evolution of enlightenment is the only thing which can make you pleased. People turn out to be dissatisfied, drop out of love with every thing they do and it gets difficult because of the traps of money and prestige, responsibilities, old age and lack [url=http://www.newmonclersalejp.com/%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB-%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB-%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-%E3%83%A1%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA-c-84_92. html] モンクレール ジャケット メンズ [/url] of power, to transfer on to some thing else which could provide the function which they love. Then people stop relocating on and evolving in the direction of that which they adore. Simply because they do not really believe in on their own, they accept something much less.You know, a shark requirements to keep on relocating if [url=http://www.newmonclerdownsjp.com/%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB-%E3%83%A1%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BA-%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%82%B1%E3%83%83%E3%83%88-c-94_95.html] モンクレールメンズ [/url] it is to continue pushing drinking water via the gills to get oxygen. When it stops moving on, then, you have a dead shark.Maintain relocating on towards something which you adore then life can be pleased. But you [url=http://www.newmonclersalejp.com/%E3%83%A2%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB-%E3%83%99%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88-%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9-c-88_89.html] モンクレール ベスト [/url] could still be a shark.But for 1000’s of years Masters of Meditation have been saying, “Do not waste [url=http://www.discountmbtsjp.com/] mbt アウトレット [/url] materials your time on ineffective things”.For thousands of years Masters of Meditation have been telling you, “Enlightenment is Possible”.Comprehend that even although Hitler, Stalin, Chairman Mao and Bill Gates really loved and adore their work, in the end this is not useful.Only when you Attain enlightenment. Only then is Adore and Joy long term.

  24. This is a wonderful web site, would you be interested in going through an interview about just how you designed it? If so e-mail me!

  25. Hello there, I found your web site by way of Google even as searching for a similar topic, your site got here up, it appears great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks. Hi there, just turned into alert to your blog via Google, and found that it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful for those who continue this in future. Numerous other folks will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  26. I such as the worthwhile facts you deliver on your content pieces.I will bookmark your web site and examine once again right here usually.I’m pretty absolutely sure I will master a whole lot of new things ideal here! Excellent luck for that upcoming!

  27. Wonderful site. A lot of helpful information here. I’m sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you to your effort!

  28. I was curious about if you ever thought of switching the page layout of your web site? Its very well written; I enjoy what youve got to state. But maybe you can create a a bit more in the way of written content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of wording for only having one or two images. Maybe you can space it out better?

  29. Excellent written content, just what exactly I want! I stumbled upon your current page after the long investigation about the matter, but additionally the favorable content is actually required to discover! Great job!

  30. I am extremely inspired together with your writing skills as well as with the structure on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it your self? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to look a nice weblog like this one nowadays.

Comments are closed.

Related Posts