[cmoneyspinner]

I know you have probably all heard about this. A person says something on social media about their job. It's their private account. It's “off the record” so to speak. It's a conversation you might have if you were talking to a friend and complaining about the “stupid stuff” that happens at your job. (We all do it!) Next thing you know, when you show up at work you are told that you've been terminated.

* If it is a private company?
It's not for me to decide. I'm a member of the camp that believes: “You Can't Tell People How to Run Their Own Business.”

Erego, as an outsider, even if I disagree with an employer's decision, I don't think I can tell the company owner how to run his or her business organization. I can offer an opinion.

If the employee who was fired from that company file a lawsuit against that employer for wrongful termination, etc., etc. … surely the employer didn't think the matter was going to be settled that easily. Surely they must have thought that the employee might challenge them.

Nevertheless, it was the employer's decision. They get whatever comes with making that decision.

* If it's a public organization?
Like a government entity … a public school, a city or county department, a federal or civil service job … WHOA! If there is a resulting court case, then it's Mr. or Ms. Private Individual vs. The Government. That's a huge can of worms that just got opened. I can't even speculate what the outcome might be.

Whether it's a private business or a public entity, I strongly disagree with terminating an employee because the employer saw “something” on the employee's social media account.

Nevertheless, it happens, it has happened and it might continue to happen.

Although the situations described are now a part of real life-work or work-life scenarios, they were only presented as introductory remarks to paint the picture which leads into my main discussion.

This discussion is based on the following remarks that I heard someone say:

“Kids! Be careful what you say and do on social media because 10 years later, even though you nailed the interview, you might not get the job. Your prospective employer saw something your wrote on social media when you were 15 years old!”

Seriously???

Let's hope that person is wrong. But let's imagine what they said is true.

fired hired.jpg (103.17 KiB) Viewed 384 times

Here's what my imagination came up with:

~ Employers check references. They check your record from your previous jobs. They check with people who can you a professional recommendation. I get that. I see the need for that.

~ Employers perform other background checks: employers check your credit, check records of arrests, request you take a drug test, etc. I get that. I see the need for that.

But employers looking at the person's social media activity?
Is there really a legitimate or valid reason for prospective employers to pry into your social life via social media?
That's just being nosy!

Let's not even discuss the stupidity of going back into a person's teenage years, bringing it forward, and pointing to that time when they took a questionable picture with friends, or made a derogatory statement about the school principal or one of their teachers.

Let's say you're a full grown adult and you are very active on social media and you've applied for a job.

I can think of lots of reasons why an employer checking your social media before he or she makes a hiring decision about you is silly. But here's an obvious one. (Like I said. It's my imagination.)

Suppose the prospective employer was actually looking at a fake account. Somebody took your name and your picture and created a fake profile. Your prospective employer DID NOT tell you WHY you didn't get the job. You just got a nice letter of rejection in the mail saying “Thank you for the interview. But someone else was chosen for the position.”

Now isn't that ridiculous?

Suppose you kept applying for jobs and kept getting rejected because all the employers where you applied for a job were checking out what you do on social media and they were all looking at the same fake account, which you didn't even know existed!!

Now isn't that even more ridiculous?

That's just an imaginary example. I can think of others. But you understand the point I'm making. Don't you?

* * *

Agree or Disagree.
Prospective employers should examine a prospective employee's social media activity and make hiring decisions based on their activity.

[grecy0905]

I don't agree. I have this kind of experience before but I was hired already. My employer wants everyone to write their social media and it is compulsory to add the boss on our social media. I didn't follow and just said I don't have Facebook account, but before that I changed my name at Facebook just to make sure. I think they will want to know what we post on social media.

[chikitta]

I used to think that social media really doesn't matter much 3specially when it comes to your work. But i got to find out that it is indeed very important to take extra care. Employers have found a place where they can find out stuff about their employers without having to talk to other people and that's the social media sites.

[Happyland]

Unfortunately, individuals are always easy targets. I like the points on background checks, screenings, references, credit data, etc. You would think that would be enough to look at. Going beyond that is lookin for perfection. No one is perfect--not even the one looking into your social media presence. We can all benefit from self-examination--individuals and organizations.

The point on a face accounts is a valid concern. There are all sorts of hackings these days. People identities are being stolen and used for various purposes. (I didn't think of social media accounts but you are right). Even the platforms of major organizations are getting compromised. We hear and read about them constantly. Is there such a thing as privacy anymore? Yes just look at the ads selling privacy to you. I guess you have to pay for it. Lol

What happened to free speech? I guess you can say what you want but there could be consequences. Some types of jobs are sensitive in nature. Companies with these types of job openings would like to prevent associating with people who lack integrity, full of rage, biased in anyway etc. On the flip side there are those who have been employed within a company who are known for harboring hate but yet they are still employed there. Sometimes in positions of authority.

I like people and I hope all countries can come together for a better world. Social media helps by making the world a bit smaller. We can reach someone half-way around the world in an instant. Social media is a good tool so let's communicate good things.

[cmoneyspinner]

I don't agree. I have this kind of experience before but I was hired already. My employer wants everyone to write their social media and it is compulsory to add the boss on our social media. I didn't follow and just said I don't have Facebook account, but before that I changed my name at Facebook just to make sure. I think they will want to know what we post on social media.

* * Compulsory? And did your boss tell you WHY it was so important to know what you do during your off hours when you are not working for him or her? I see no reason to add my boss to my social media network because "they say so". I choose who gets added to my network.

First of all, how many of us know our bosses that well? How do you know what they do in their private lives?

Jeff Dahmer was not a boss but it's an example of a real person. Jeff Dahmer worked at a chocolate factory but he was a serial killer who ate his victims. Do you think his boss or his co-workers knew that? Do you think he was discussing it on his social media?? Imagine if your boss was just like Jeff Dahmer. You just opened up your world to let him or her do "God knows what!" to you.

There are very clear boundary lines when it comes to employer and employee relationships.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Dahmer

-- 17 Jun 2017, 12:37 --

I used to think that social media really doesn't matter much 3specially when it comes to your work. But i got to find out that it is indeed very important to take extra care. Employers have found a place where they can find out stuff about their employers without having to talk to other people and that's the social media sites.

* * I think employers are trying to "play God". This is how I see prying into a person's social media.

I got hired to pick berries. If I picked berries for 8 hours, then I get to leave work and go home or wherever. You don't get to follow me just because you're my boss. By the way, why aren't you going home?? What's so important about me that you need to know what I'm doing AFTER WORK?

Monitoring my social media activity is the same thing as following me home after work. How do I know you're not a pervert and you want to stalk my kids?

Employers peeping at your social media accounts is a definite NO NO! in my book.

-- 17 Jun 2017, 12:49 --

Unfortunately, individuals are always easy targets. I like the points on background checks, screenings, references, credit data, etc. You would think that would be enough to look at. Going beyond that is lookin for perfection. No one is perfect--not even the one looking into your social media presence. We can all benefit from self-examination--individuals and organizations.

The point on a face accounts is a valid concern. There are all sorts of hackings these days. People identities are being stolen and used for various purposes. (I didn't think of social media accounts but you are right). Even the platforms of major organizations are getting compromised. We hear and read about them constantly. Is there such a thing as privacy anymore? Yes just look at the ads selling privacy to you. I guess you have to pay for it. Lol

What happened to free speech? I guess you can say what you want but there could be consequences. Some types of jobs are sensitive in nature. Companies with these types of job openings would like to prevent associating with people who lack integrity, full of rage, biased in anyway etc. On the flip side there are those who have been employed within a company who are known for harboring hate but yet they are still employed there. Sometimes in positions of authority.

I like people and I hope all countries can come together for a better world. Social media helps by making the world a bit smaller. We can reach someone half-way around the world in an instant. Social media is a good tool so let's communicate good things.

* * Appreciate your thoughts. You hit the nail on the head exactly. In my mind, social media is wonderful because it creates a world with no borders. I always imagined talking to people in India, Africa, Australia, China, Philippines, etc. Social media made my imagination a reality.

You touch on free speech and privacy issues. That's MAJOR!! If I use social media to exercise my free speech and/or have a private account, what gives my employer the authority to have access with or without my permission and to use it against me to terminate my employment?

The employer might as well follow a person into the bathroom at the job and listen in on the conversations that go in and then fire a person because of what they said somebody say in the bathroom?

Do you see how ridiculous this gets??
The work-life scenarios can reach all kinds of levels of outrageous stupidity!

Anyway … I don't want to rant. So I'll stop here.

[bestwriter]

I do not work any more and even if I were to I would rather not work for a firm that insists on having access to my personal information Such firms need to be reported. Leave alone a firm I do not let every member of my family to see what I post on FB. I have restricted my information only for friends. Again. even my users here or elsewhere on the Net have no access unless I include them in my friends category.

[Angie10]

Whether we agree with it or not, sadly, we live in a digital world where prospective employers, employers, prospective business associates and strangers have taken to snooping around social media to see what types of people we are, what type of company we keep, what we stand for etc. It's frustrating and even annoying yes, some might even say a gross invasion of privacy; but it's the sign of the times and I personally choose to work with it as opposed to against it because I know I can't change it.

Therefore, I try to conduct myself as decently as I can online as I would offline. I would never dream of slagging off my employer anywhere online because it's likely to be seen by someone who has the potential of giving me the sack LOL Big Brother is always watching!

[Happyland]

Whether we agree with it or not, sadly, we live in a digital world where prospective employers, employers, prospective business associates and strangers have taken to snooping around social media to see what types of people we are, what type of company we keep, what we stand for etc. It's frustrating and even annoying yes, some might even say a gross invasion of privacy; but it's the sign of the times and I personally choose to work with it as opposed to against it because I know I can't change it.

Therefore, I try to conduct myself as decently as I can online as I would offline. I would never dream of slagging off my employer anywhere online because it's likely to be seen by someone who has the potential of giving me the sack LOL Big Brother is always watching!

You provided two good points "conduct myself as decently as I can online as I would offline" and "big brother is always watching". This second point reminds me of a song called "Watching Me" released by in 1984 by Rockwell. Michael Jackson sung the chorus of "I always feel like somebody's watching me".

[cmoneyspinner]

I do not work any more and even if I were to I would rather not work for a firm that insists on having access to my personal information Such firms need to be reported. Leave alone a firm I do not let every member of my family to see what I post on FB. I have restricted my information only for friends. Again. even my users here or elsewhere on the Net have no access unless I include them in my friends category.

* * Amen! Because the only person should be controlling your social media activity is you!

-- 19 Jun 2017, 12:44 --

Whether we agree with it or not, sadly, we live in a digital world where prospective employers, employers, prospective business associates and strangers have taken to snooping around social media to see what types of people we are, what type of company we keep, what we stand for etc. It's frustrating and even annoying yes, some might even say a gross invasion of privacy; but it's the sign of the times and I personally choose to work with it as opposed to against it because I know I can't change it.

Therefore, I try to conduct myself as decently as I can online as I would offline. I would never dream of slagging off my employer anywhere online because it's likely to be seen by someone who has the potential of giving me the sack LOL Big Brother is always watching!

* * “... snooping ... gross invasion of privacy ... Big Brother is always watching!”

How about this? Since it's OK for my boss to PEEK at me! Can I peek on my boss?

YUK!! Just the thought of that sounds repulsive.

I don't want to be all up in boss' personal and private business or the private lives of my co-workers for that matter. I want the lines between my life at work and my life not at work clearly drawn and respected.

Big Brother was never OK! Even before the digital age.

Some say: "But it's being done."
I say: "Uh huh. SO WHAT!!"

I didn't accept it when it was supposedly a work of fiction in Orwell's novel, “1984”.
I'm not going to accept it as a fact of real life now.

There are very few things that set me off, but this particular “practice” has really put me on the warpath! Why don't people just accept that it's perfectly alright to stalk an individual? You may not call this practice stalking. You can call this "rose" by another name. But the reason it's a “thorny issue” is because IT HAS THORNS!!

Have you ever been stuck by a thorn that didn't hurt?

I'm not sure how people in other countries are reacting, but in America, this is not just going to be incorporated into the company manual as a "best business practices ~ hiring procedure". Americans believe in a government that's supposed to protect their privacy, not invade it!

thorns-419688_960_720.jpg (50.45 KiB) Viewed 334 times

[ceci]

I don't agree. I have this kind of experience before but I was hired already. My employer wants everyone to write their social media and it is compulsory to add the boss on our social media. I didn't follow and just said I don't have Facebook account, but before that I changed my name at Facebook just to make sure. I think they will want to know what we post on social media.

Haha! I prefer to live outside the company or working circle after going off from works, stay away from boss is a must for having a relax after work life.

[augusta]

For employers checking up your activities on social media is happening now and getting fired because of a post on social media is also on the increased. But I don't like this style one bit.I can be fooling around on my social media account, then I get fired for that.it doesn't make sense.

[cmoneyspinner]

For employers checking up your activities on social media is happening now and getting fired because of a post on social media is also on the increased. But I don't like this style one bit.I can be fooling around on my social media account, then I get fired for that.it doesn't make sense.

* * I think the employers need to get a life! Seriously. I have already worked for you for 8 hours a day; maybe even did some overtime. Did you come by my desk or work station, pat me back and thank me for doing a good job. NO! Why? Not enough time? Oh! You were busy. Busy? But you do have time to snoop on me via social media AFTER WORK? When I'm not on your clock and you ain't paying me! GET A LIFE!!! Seriously!

[thisnthat]

I think it's pretty bogus to hold something against a person from when they were a kid. Social media is used by employers, law enforcement, and pretty much anyone else who wants to get all up in your business.

[cmoneyspinner]

I think it's pretty bogus to hold something against a person from when they were a kid. Social media is used by employers, law enforcement, and pretty much anyone else who wants to get all up in your business.

Don't want to beat this up too much. But I think a person could hire a smart lawyer and get their employer on Invasion of Privacy. Not sure about other countries, but we got privacy laws in America.

-- 28 May 2019, 14:33 --

Have to share this link because this particular topic is “irksome”. I'm not seeking employment but I have children who are or who will be applying for jobs. Some of my kids don't make a big deal about NOT having a social media or about NOT being active on social media.

So get this! This is an article by Monster.com. According to them, there are 3 social media things that can disqualify you from getting a job. Guess what they are.

(1) You social media profile is PRIVATE.
Really? I only want to use social media to communicate personally and not publicly. The employer can't find me. Ooooh! That's bad huh?

(2) You bought FAKE FOLLOWERS.
Uuumm … you haven't even hired me and you're actually going to do "extra" research to figure out if my followers are FAKE???? WHY??

(3) You're INACTIVE.
So? I have an account but don't do much with it. And this disqualifies me from being hired as an accountant for your company because … ?????

https://www.monster.com/career-advice/a ... rom-a-job#

Tell the truth. Isn't this irksome???

[Netherrealmer]

I have a sister who got fired because of social media because she ranted about how she hates her job, she forgot her boss is her facebook friend. She learned her lesson and created a secret blog where she is anonymous and rant about her personal complaints.

[cmoneyspinner]

I have a sister who got fired because of social media because she ranted about how she hates her job, she forgot her boss is her facebook friend. She learned her lesson and created a secret blog where she is anonymous and rant about her personal complaints.

I still think people go too far using social media against others. Especially when it comes to jobs. Before there was social media people were still complaining about their jobs. Sometimes they complained to other people right there on the job who were walking with them. Those people could have told the boss what they said. What's the difference between and social media? So they shared their dissatisfaction at the job. Nobody got fired for that!

If they keep firing people because they're unhappy and have complaints after a while they're not going to have a workforce. Seems to me the boss should have called her in and asked her why she didn't feel like she could talk to him or her about her difficulties. That's what a good boss would do!!

I left a job because I was unhappy. But my husband was the only one who knew. Why didn't I tell anybody on the job? BECAUSE I DIDN'T TRUST ANYBODY ON THE JOB! I only trusted my husband. So my communications were private not public and my situation is not quite the same. Social media did not exist at the time. Not that I would have used it anyway.

I get that social media is public (unless you make it private). But what you do during your off hours when you're not on the job should be your own business! Regardless of whether your Facebook or Twitter is public or private. If not, if the employer is going to use my social media activity, then I need to be paid extra for maintaining a social media account that they using to snoop on me!!

When I punched the clock to leave the workplace, I don't need my employer stalking me! It's an invasion of privacy.

[IamDozzy]

Yes, most employers nowadays check the social media page of potential employees to ensure the have sanity and don't soil the image of their company.

[Mika]

I also believe that your reckless comment on a social site can sost your job. You might keep your profile private but it will never be completely private.

[sweerie_banana]

Those are one of the many reasons why I hate formal employments, I have always wanted to be my own boss and act according to what I may deem right cause some things are just petty to get fired cause of.

I have also been fired before without being told what I had done wrong, I wish I knew I could sew the company but some things are just better if you walk away from them. Sometimes bosses are so unfair.

[cmoneyspinner]

Yes, most employers nowadays check the social media page of potential employees to ensure the have sanity and don't soil the image of their company.

So here's my question: Do the bosses check your social media activity while they are ON THE JOB?
Am I posting to my social media profiles while I am ON THE JOB?

If my bosses are checking on me while I am NOT AT WORK and I am not engaging in any illegal or criminal activity that they feel it's their public duty not only to fire me but to report me to the authorities ... THEN ... why doesn't anybody see that as a violation of my privacy???????

-- 11 May 2021, 16:41 --

I also believe that your reckless comment on a social site can sost your job. You might keep your profile private but it will never be completely private.

So> Like uumm ... bosses and other managers, supervisors, and company executives don't also make "reckless comments"? Are businesses going to go around firing everybody?

-- 11 May 2021, 16:43 --

I have also been fired before without being told what I had done wrong, I wish I knew I could sew the company but some things are just better if you walk away from them. Sometimes bosses are so unfair.

It's easier to walk away and find other employment. However, if your employers is repeatedly giving your future employer "bad information" about you and that prevents you from getting a job ... you might need a lawyer!