Social Media is relevant to employers still!

18 Comments

1. Tomilyn RichardsJuly 1,2022 at 11:56AM UTC

   So strange to still hear this. While I do agree.. and sometimes it can show some serious red flags... I also think it opens the door for assumptive bias. I think I am a little conflicted. I don't ever pull up someones facebook... maybe LinkedIn.

2. AmyJuly 1,2022 at 5:02PM UTC

   Agree with you. It can be seen and used for discrimination cases in CA. If a candidate does not get hired they can say they were discriminated by HR (or any member of the company who is involved or the whole company). This goes for 'googling' their names and so on. Never a good idea if you want your company to truly be unbiased in their hiring decisions. Yes even after meeting the person (interviews) you still should not base decisions on whether they have kids or not, gender or sexual identity, political choice, or anything that is not going to impact their performance. Of course there are exceptions and these must be listed in the job AD so as not to be seen as discriminating. Same as must be able to lift 25 lbs, have a car, have a cell phone, have to attend political meetings or whatever the company does........ I'm not an HR person but I was at a non-profit for many years until Oct last year. So this is all fresh in my head still. I also realize CA has more laws than other states. But even though I would not want a 'jerk' to be able to get away with harmful social media posts I do think we should not discriminate during hiring. And most/many/some/more should, companies have new hires sign forms saying they won't post about work stuff on their personal social media accounts. It's all a fine line. I mean nothing you post online anywhere is truly private. No matter your settings. And not many think ahead before posting. Oh and looking at their Linkedin especially if it is listed on their resume is okay. But would be not shared if you are doing an unbiased retracted view of resumes first. : )

3. Lauren FraleyJuly 7,2022 at 1:35PM UTC

   I'm not as familiar with California law, and am aware that their laws are so much more stringent that they even have a separate HR certification for the state lol. I'm curious: is this social media protection based on protected characteristics, or more about free speech? I know most states don't protect political affiliation, but I feel like California might be one of the few that does (DC does, for example).

4. AmyJuly 7,2022 at 6:10PM UTC

   Yes there is a separate HR certification, there is a lot to learn and my gosh a lot changed in the last few years. Which is not normal, but may be is now. Not searching social media during the hiring process is more protected characteristics. The signing of company form depends on what field of industry. Usually about not posting during work hours, but extends to the work place is not public *unless it is, space so images of people/stuff is not for the general public. Then there is patent stuff in some industries. Mostly it is not about doing it during work hours, but that does not extend to your work breaks, you can do what you want there. Currently political affiliation is not listed. Race, color

   Ancestry, national origin

   Citizenship, immigration status*

   Primary language*

   Age*

   Religion

   Disability, mental or physical

   Sex, gender

   Sexual orientation

   Gender identity, gender expression

   Genetic information

   Marital status

   Familial status

   Source of income

   Military or veteran status

5. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 11:58AM UTC

   100% agree! Social media is an extension of your application. Expect that prospective employers are checking your different platforms. Don’t quite understand why people are shocked that employers are looking at this.

6. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 12:00PM UTC

   My boss is really conservative and he his very high up in the organization.
   Like I said other factors were to blame for her not getting the job, we didn't look until after we talked with her. I would have never looked at it personally, but he does and asked us to do the same.

7. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 12:39PM UTC

   I know my company does this routinely, especially when the decision is tight between candidates. Social Media accounts reveal so much. Even if no one really uses Facebook anymore, the accounts can collect garbage.

8. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJuly 1,2022 at 1:16PM UTC

   I once was friends a person who consistently posted horribly scathing messages/memes on his FB page aimed against larger women.

   I do respect that everyone's social media is their own. But these types of messages/memes are unacceptable and so I unfriended the person.

   About 6 months later I learned the person lost their job. I have a very strong suspicion their FB page (and other pages they supported) were a major part of this decision.

   You have to watch not only what you post on your social media, but also what others you befriend do as well.

9. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 2:40PM UTC

   I had someone fired because of an social media post. It wasn't political, he took/posted a photo of a customer with a snarky remark. Customer had no idea. I'm still not sure why he thought that would have ever been ok to do... to anyone.

10. Eva SteortzJuly 1,2022 at 11:24PM UTC

    I have also seen leaders fired for posting controversial content on their personal accounts too. Employers absolutely care about fit with their brand and image.

11. Patricia ManroeJuly 2,2022 at 11:34AM UTC

    I've been taught in college that you should keep all your social media accounts professional. As employers will and do check them prior to a hire.

12. AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 11:57AM UTC

    I dont have any accounts. At least none that are personally identifying. I feel like my personal life is mine. And as long as I'm not doing anything awful or unethical or I'm not a bigot or anything, my job should mind its own business.

13. Cynthia Armistead NewmanJuly 2,2022 at 12:34PM UTC

    Your online activity has been relevant as long as people have been online. I've been looking at people's online activity as part of vetting them for jobs since 1995, which was before social media was around. I still remember the guy who was VERY active in racist and misogynist Usenet groups who wanted a job as a support tech at the ISP where I worked - he didn't get an interview.

    Most of my social media is locked down. What isn't locked down isn't used to post much that's personal.

14. Gretchen KlinglerJuly 3,2022 at 1:19PM UTC

    Very true. Even in recruiting, linked social media accounts are often checked out before approaching with an offer to interview.

15. surfnwriteJuly 7,2022 at 12:11PM UTC

    If you have a private profile, as opposed to a public profile, people who are not your friends cannot see your posts. For example, on Facebook, you can tell a public profile as it has a globe next to the date under the person's name. These are settings that can easily be fixed. And it goes without saying you don't friend your boss or anyone who has control over your career.

16. AnonymousJuly 7,2022 at 9:51PM UTC

    Years ago after seeing a former co-worker get fired after posting negative comments about our boss on Facebook I locked all my social media accounts, and they have remained that way since. Additionally I don't ever accept friend requests from co-workers, past or present.

17. A little common kindness!July 8,2022 at 2:23AM UTC

    It's the right thing to do. I don't allow work associates either!

18. Dagney TaggartJuly 8,2022 at 5:53PM UTC

    Likewise!