Employers going too far?

[CanWoodsman]

Re: Employers going too far?

I agree, bad mouthing the boss, the company or co-workers has always been a no-no. That isn't what I was talking about. This seems to be about clashing idiologies being grounds for termination or reprimand.

As I said in the post right above the one you quoted.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Employers going too far?

These cases merely prove my attitude about "social networking". Too many people expose their vulnerability by baring all. . .it is like they were running down main street naked. There is no dignity, protection or privacy.

I would never hire or retain someone who cannot maintain privacy and dignity.

This. Absolutely.

I checked out Bubba's link and read some of the articles. I looked at the comments on one of the articles and found this one:

"Only a really stupid employer refers to an employee's blog when firing them. You simply fire them for other reasons. The bottom line is any employee who posts insults to their employer online is to stupid to have a job anyway. "

I'm all for personal freedom and privacy, but I really have to agree with this. I'm fairly old myself and I date back to before email was invented. Email was the first social network. When our company set up their first network (circa 1990) and made email available to employees, a number of folks began treating it as a personal communication device. Since the vast majority of them did NOT have home computers at that time, they used the company email system to say things better left unsaid. Also a lot folks never really learned that "Reply to All" was a very dangerous option, especially if you were pissed about something.

I'm retired so it's not an issue, but if a prospective employer wanted my facebook password, my worry would be that the lack of content would make them think I was computer illiterate.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Employers going too far?

Once its on the internet it will be there forever.. Just think people who are now 12 years old can be held accountable by a boss when they want a job 20 years from now and NOTHING can stop it...I know the cops record and save things you may say for use for all eternity but facebook and others shouldnt have this power. There is too much room for unfair descrimination. For example I thought my young niece had a good head on her shoulders. I befriended her older sister on facebook and within seconds I was able to find out that the younger girl was into the occult...Im sure she never intended for me and THE ENTIRE WORLD TO READ HER POST....Its easy tp post on facebook but almost imposible to secure who will read it(or see the pictures) 100 years from now...........lets make that 200 years.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Employers going too far?

I've been saying for some time now, technology will be our downfall. And my 30 some year career in software development tells you I'm not speaking from a position of ignorance. Having said that however, the technology is here, its not going away, and it will get even more instrusive. While I believe what is normay expected to be private should stay that way, and what you make public is at your own risk (translated: stupid) , those in power positions, whatever that position is, will not always respect that rule.

 

[BobList]

Re: Employers going too far?

Never post work related stuff on a Facebook page, don't give them a reason to fire you.

Now, that being said, why do so many people say "unions suck"..? A union would have that employer who wants your passwords over a hot poker. I know no politics/religion allowed here, but employees are losing more and more everyday what unions took 100 years to achieve, until many of them (unions) went crooked. There has to be a happy medium between your personal life, and what employers can do. Employers are more and more making up crap as they go, regardless of labor laws. I would consider telling the guy in an interview to find someone else.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Employers going too far?

I would tell the interviewer that I do not have a Facebook account, and that would be the truth.
I'm now a "C" level employee, so I have to undergo much more stringent vetting than normal.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Employers going too far?

From what I understand, correct me if I'm wrong, but most unions do not concern themselves much with those that have not been hired yet.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Employers going too far?

I agree with you bassman, talking down the boss,company or other employees is a no go but its spread way past that. Wasn't it last year or the year before that a school teacher or administrator was suspened for posting pictures of himself and others drinking a few beers on a boat in Iowa? Partying yes but certainly nothing wrong, illegal or even immoral to most people.

Oh yeah, Bubba, I agree there are employers going way over the top on this stuff. Demanding passwords is pretty extreme, but mostly because they could find out most of what they were looking for without passwords.

The fact is, many people these days use no sense whatsoever when they post online. This is what I was referring to and what I think JB was referring to. The thing is, you have to be aware that whatever you post online is going to be seen by a bunch of people you didn't plan on seeing it and it will be here for eternity, no matter what you do to try to erase it. You think, "Well, just my 3 friends will see this." Fact is, their friends will see it, friends of their friends will see it, etc., etc. At least one of those three will grab it and post it somewhere else, like youtube, and your control is completely gone.

For example, I have a computer with internet access and a very good digital camera. I could very easily drop trou, take a few pictures (or videos) and post them to Facebook or other social media. No big problem. Probably get some "Likes". However, I feel that doing this could adversely affect me at some point. If I was 40 years younger I would just think, "I'm gonna get some "Likes" Yo!"

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Employers going too far?

Well, they say failure is the best teacher. I think what we are seeing is the adjustment phase of the world of social networking meeting some unfortunate online personal (or not?) habits.
...sure to continue until people learn (relearn?) decorum on line. The younger generation will continue to get smacked between the eyes with this issue...but after losing a couple of jobs or so, they will catch on.
For the older generation (40+)....simply mind your manners.
Regardless, I don't buy into employers asking for passwords to private accounts, etc. If what they find is public....well, thats the way it goes.
My two bits.
BP

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Employers going too far?

These cases merely prove my attitude about "social networking". Too many people expose their vulnerability by baring all. . .it is like they were running down main street naked. There is no dignity, protection or privacy.

I would never hire or retain someone who cannot maintain privacy and dignity.

Exactly!!
If I have to put my hand in my pocket to pay your wages, then understand something very clearly. You tell the world about me and your job - when I find out, your toasted. Full stop. For me the rules are very clear. You "maintain my privacy and your dignity" and we will all get along just fine.
I have also noticed, the negative issues with social networking don't seem to engulf smarter people.
It is almost as though they see thru it, and use it in such a manner that is quite beneficial to their lifestyle - which is probably what it was designed for in the first place anyway.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Employers going too far?

If any one ever discovers my boating adiction Im hosed

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Employers going too far?

Like most everyone I am seeing more and more people get the ax for voicing their opinions in public venues (Facebook, etc.)

I have personally yet to see or hear of anyone getting the ax. I have heard of couple of sensational media stories on it. How many people do you personally know that have been let go for what they say on Facebook?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Employers going too far?

I have personally yet to see or hear of anyone getting the ax. I have heard of couple of sensational media stories on it. How many people do you personally know that have been let go for what they say on Facebook?

Amen.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Employers going too far?

I have personally yet to see or hear of anyone getting the ax. I have heard of couple of sensational media stories on it. How many people do you personally know that have been let go for what they say on Facebook?

+ 1 more on this one !!!!!

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Employers going too far?

I think you will see Companies increasingly use these social media forums to judge/ predict your personal thoughts, habits, behaviors etc. I know of more than one company that checks them as standard procedure for hiring. To me its no different than using your credit score.

I dont face book. Email and texting works fine for me. I would never post most of the personal info folks put on facebook. I have never understood this.

There are currently a couple of Secret Service Agents that wish they didn't have a facebook account. LOL

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Employers going too far?

I don't use Facebook or anything like that. Iboats is about the only place anyone will find me spouting off about anything. I would not worry about any prospective employer reading anything I've ever posted on here or the couple of other forums I sometimes visit. As far as privacy goes, anything I would want to keep private, I would not post anywhere on the internet. My views on religion and politics, I keep to myself. There is a time and a place to discuss those issues, and doing it openly on the internet is not the place.

As far as giving out passwords to a prospective employer, uh NO. If they feel the need to view anything I've posted online for the public to see, that's fine. I use the "filter" in my brain before I hit enter. If they want to read my personal e-mails I sent or recieved on my personal computer at home, then forget it. The only exception to that in my mind would be if you were working/applying for a job that required a high level of security clearence for something like national security or something along those lines.

The younger generation has grown up with technology. For the most part, they have never been without internet and social media. They don't know what it was like before computers became a part of daily lives. Some people are so attatched to their electronic devices and social networks they can't even go to the bathroom without posting about it on Facebook or Twitter etc... Sad, but that's what the world is evolving into. This is really the first generation to be totally "logged in" on a full time basis. The lessons learned by the current generation will hopefully be taught to their kids and they won't make the same mistakes like posting embarassing photos or spouting off their opinions in a public forum before considering the ramifications of their words and actions.

 

[Captain Shikaboo]

Re: Employers going too far?

I'm still trying to get the image out of my head of our entire upper management sitting in a meeting room looking at everyone's faceyspace pages... Some of them can't even close out a meeting notice let alone get on the interenet.

"What is this poking thing about? That sounds dangerous, does OSHA approve of this poking?"

Now I can only imagine THIER facebook pages. Pictures of the CEO getting trashed on his yacht, his wife ralphing over the side. Our HR manager bonging a beer... Awesome.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Employers going too far?

I don't have a facebook page and I don't want one. I am old fashioned to a fault w new tech. and can barely reply and post on this forum! :facepalm: I'm glad to work for a boss who is also a friend. If I have an opinion about work related issues, I say it to his face, and he does the same w me and other employees. Occasionally there are some heated "debates" :redface: but the bottom line is he is the boss. I think this is the best situation ( REAL honesty, mutual understanding of everyones issues, and transparency) but probably getting more rare everyday, and about impossible to have in larger companies.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Employers going too far?

Honestly the whole facebook thing creeps me out from a privacy and security standpoint. I hate it when my Mother puts pictures of my Kids on her page. I had to show her the other day how you can GPS locate pictures taken with a few swipes on the ipad. Creepy!!!

I have Friends and Family in Law Enforcement... Home evasions, stalking, burglaries, rape, child abductions have sometimes involved these social media things. With increasing frequency.

 

[hog88]

Re: Employers going too far?

Boblist - I don't think very many hourly employees, people a union would cover, are affected by this.

As someone who hires mangers, sales people ext, you have to be carefull, it's a big investment so even though we do not monitor or look at employees social networks things do get back through the grape vine. There comes a time in life when you have to take responsability for your actions, why would a 30+ year old be posting anything online that could come back to haunt them. As a manager or sales person dealing with cutomers you have to just take it for granted that customers can see what you are putting out there and if what you are posting embarrasses or puts the company in a bad light, well so be it you just might have to go.