Simply wrong. Thought WA was a better state than this. (employee, interview)
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Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,642 posts, read 81,368,328 times
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Actually, our state government sucks in many ways. On the other hand, as a boss myself, this doesn't seem out of line to me if you read the law. It does not allow employers to get a password any time they want, to use in hiring or performance evaluation. Only when there is a specific investigation where the information could be relevant.
"...allegations of workplace misconduct or giving away an employer’s proprietary information. The amendment would require an investigation to ensure compliance with laws or regulatory requirements.
Under the amendment, employees would be present when their social-network profiles are searched and whatever information found is kept confidential, unless it is relevant to a criminal investigation."
Actually, our state government sucks in many ways. On the other hand, as a boss myself, this doesn't seem out of line to me if you read the law. It does not allow employers to get a password any time they want, to use in hiring or performance evaluation. Only when there is a specific investigation where the information could be relevant.
"...allegations of workplace misconduct or giving away an employer’s proprietary information. The amendment would require an investigation to ensure compliance with laws or regulatory requirements.
Under the amendment, employees would be present when their social-network profiles are searched and whatever information found is kept confidential, unless it is relevant to a criminal investigation."
Why is this any of the employer's business? What need would an employer have to dig into someone's personal Facebook profile for an investigation that has to do with the person's employment?
Can someone provide an example of how this could be used legitimately?
This is another reason to lock up your profile nice and tight and to use the Internet wisely. Do not post any incriminating evidence (smoking weed, pic posted of you at a carnival when you were supposed to be at work, etc.) Of course, I can't help everyone with common sense; some will always fall through the cracks.
Location: Moose Jaw, in between the Moose's butt and nose.
5,152 posts, read 8,536,572 times
Reputation: 2038
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140
Actually, our state government sucks in many ways. On the other hand, as a boss myself, this doesn't seem out of line to me if you read the law. It does not allow employers to get a password any time they want, to use in hiring or performance evaluation. Only when there is a specific investigation where the information could be relevant.
"...allegations of workplace misconduct or giving away an employer’s proprietary information. The amendment would require an investigation to ensure compliance with laws or regulatory requirements.
Under the amendment, employees would be present when their social-network profiles are searched and whatever information found is kept confidential, unless it is relevant to a criminal investigation."
Yea, however, if an employer wants to bully someone, they will use that clause for anything, no matter how trivial it appears.
That will never pass. On the other hand, I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before the government can demand your facebook password. Heck, they probably just hack in without it, and don't need to mess around with any silly privacy laws.
I had a friend interviewing for a private sector job. Before the bill banning this was enacted, they requested his facebook username/password. He supplied it, knowing that if he didn't, someone else just as qualified would be willing to supply it. Of course there wasn't anything terribly lude on there, but there were pictures of him drinking (of age), and other party pictures.
As soon we he got out of the interview he called me and told me to go on to his account and delete anything that could be considered bad.
A week after this interview, a bill was passed banning this practice.
The amendment says an employer conducting an investigation may require or demand access to a personal account if an employee or prospective employee has allegations of workplace misconduct or giving away an employer’s proprietary information.
Not sure who would be stupid enough to use Facebook to broadcast any of this type of info. I wonder, though, where would it stop? Access to cell phone records, text messages, email accounts? All of this is accessible now, but only with the appropriate search warrant.
If anything like this bill were to pass, it would just lead to employees creating multiple shadow or fake accounts. Useless.
Not sure who would be stupid enough to use Facebook to broadcast any of this type of info. I wonder, though, where would it stop? Access to cell phone records, text messages, email accounts? All of this is accessible now, but only with the appropriate search warrant.
If anything like this bill were to pass, it would just lead to employees creating multiple shadow or fake accounts. Useless.
This just further proves the absolute stupidity of certain elected officials. As you pointed out, how is Facebook any different than email, postal mail, or any other means of private communication. A company would never be granted a wiretap to conduct an internal investigation, they would be laughed out of court if they tried. I don't see why social media is any different. This reminds of the congress woman who claimed the high capacity magazines would disappear once all of the bullets are fired from them. If you are too dense to understand the basic concepts of what it is you are trying to regulate you have no business trying to regulate it.
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