Personal Social Media Web-Pages: Should They Be Viewed By Employers?
Most people know not to post something on websites such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn that you wouldn’t want your boss, co-worker or supervisor to see. Some employers are now asking and in some instances mandating employees and job candidates to disclose login information for the aforementioned websites.
Legislation has recently been introduced in the State of New Jersey which would prohibit employers from requiring job candidates or current employees from disclosing their login information.
The above-referenced bill would also prohibit an employer from requiring or even asking for an individual to waive protection granted under the bill, and would also prohibit employer’s from retaliating or discriminating against an individual who might file a complaint or testify as part of an investigation into violations of the law.
If the bill passes, violators of the law would face fines up to $1,000 for the first violation and $2,000 for each subsequent violation. Other States and federal agencies are also considering similar bills or positions on this very hot topic.