Would You Give A Possible Employer Your Facebook Password?

[robjones]

Was just watching a news story on this. Some of the people opposing this thing are against the boss being able to ask to SEE your FB page. Not get the password... see the page. That one is a little less clearcut. Some will argue that is still not ok, and is an invasion of privacy if they ask you to login and let them look at it. The argument is that it is personal info.

Problem with that is twofold. It isnt a diary... there are others that can see it. I can see where an employer would want to know if the guy posted for hours while charging a prior employer by the hour, or went on racist tirades despite the fact that he'll work in a mixed race environment, or spent all his time berating his boss / customers/ co-workers.

Helpful info... do you hire the guy that has posts selflessly plugging a charity or the guy that posts pictures of himself practicing his drunk-driving skills? But the question is, does an employer have a right to know these things that you told 50, or 300, or maybe a thousand of your closest buds.

Not sure how that question will be handled in courts, but I do know anyone that bares their raw emotions {or drunk soul} onto a website is a freakin idiot.

It pays to remember what WWW stands for, and it may not end up getting ruled "private' when you've clearly shared it with a ton of folks. Regardless of how this shakes out, NEVER type things on Facebook that you'd be ashamed for an employer or client to see.It just isnt bright.

[Jurassic5]

Only if I can have said employer's password. If that person won't give it, then I won't give mine. Whose to say that the person couldn't use my information to steal my identity? I would assume that this firm is shady and probably has a whole bunch of skeletons that they would rather I not know about until I get hired.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

Originally Posted by Jurassic5

Only if I can have said employer's password. If that person won't give it, then I won't give mine.

Actually, even if they gave it to me they wouldn't be getting mine, if I had one.

[Jim Gillum]

I am glad I am retired........I doubt anyone would hire me with my attitude....LOL

People sometimes forget that the net has a long memory........
Sites can be and are hacked...
I would not want to hire someone who posted some of the stupid things I have seen in "personal" postings....

[GMF]

Facebook responded to this issue

https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook-and-privacy/protecting-your-passwords-and-your-privacy/326598317390057

In recent months, we’ve seen a distressing increase in reports of employers or others seeking to gain inappropriate access to people’s Facebook profiles or private information. This practice undermines the privacy expectations and the security of both the user and the user’s friends. It also potentially exposes the employer who seeks this access to unanticipated legal liability.



The most alarming of these practices is the reported incidents of employers asking prospective or actual employees to reveal their passwords. If you are a Facebook user, you should never have to share your password, let anyone access your account, or do anything that might jeopardize the security of your account or violate the privacy of your friends. We have worked really hard at Facebook to give you the tools to control who sees your information.

[ZunuZunu]

IMO, never tell them that you are using any social site.

[Fusball fan]

It's not his right to ask for your password, it's like you are giving him your private email address. It is your private thing. On public network. These two things should not be mistaken.

[Czorny]

I see that the only solution will be that everyone stops using real names, photos and so on and keep their private pages a secret. I notice that more and more people have already taken that practice up, and that frightens me a bit. Are SNs likely to turn into functionally expanded messageboards only?

[khanaya]

I would not give out my password and my personal profile either needed or not

[arsenalfun]

If you trust him, you can give him facebook password if he needs to use it for something.

[snakeair]

Originally Posted by arsenalfun

If you trust him, you can give him facebook password if he needs to use it for something.

Why would you want to give your boss your password? Did you read any replies in this thread first?

[mootonandy]

Well if they are doing this they should be banned from doing it. No way they should be allowed to peek into someones private life.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

Further to this issue, from Marketing Land today:

The Facebook privacy page was updated today with more details on the change:

Facebook has taken a very active stance in saying that employers should not have access to employee accounts, and this enhancement should help users detect any foul play much easier.

Facebook Offers Up More Data To Download, Includes IP Address Data

If you are a nerd, guess this helps??? If you are not, don't think this is going to be helpful for the average FB user.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

BTW: You all should move to Canada.

Lawyer: It's Illegal for Employers to Ask Job Seekers for Facebook Passwords in Canada

Laws protect Canadians from bosses snooping on Facebook

[snakeair]

Originally Posted by HTMLBasicTutor

BTW: You all should move to Canada.

Lawyer: It's Illegal for Employers to Ask Job Seekers for Facebook Passwords in Canada

Laws protect Canadians from bosses snooping on Facebook

That's not a bad idea actually. lol

[WebOut]

I think browsing your publicly accessed Facebook page/account is okay but not to the point of asking or giving your password because it's already your private property, not for public.

[shaymm]

Simply put, no. I don't have anything on there that I am ashamed of, but I have my site protected for a reason.

Plus, I think by asking for the password they are opening up a can of worms. Sorry if this has been stated, but if my page were to be hacked, I would only assume that the previous person/company would be to blame. And, I am sure they would not want to confront any legal battles.

[__Web__]

No, i wouldnt. -At least because he could then impersonate me, and send spam to the people in my list.

[technol]

A job interview is a two way process.

1) They are interviewing you to see if you will be a suitable employee for them.

2) You are taking part in the interview to see if they would be a suitable employer for you.

I've no objection to the person interviewing me making a 'friend' request to me that evening, so that we can both see one another's posts and profile, before offering, or accepting a job.

[xHazun]

I wold not give my password. I would be happy to direct them to my public page and even grant them friend access but if handing over my password was required then i would be heading out the door.