The Pros and Cons of Facebook

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Recommended: Privacy on social media

If you thought the interview was done when you walked out the door you might be mistaken. In an age where people put their lives out there for people to see also comes the capability for unwanted guests to also see what goes on in your private life. Your social networking site such as Facebook or Twitter is intended as a place to post your thoughts, opinions, life events and not have it affect your livelihood. The idea of a place to feel more open and honest with anonymity is one that has come to fruition of the last ten years. With this newfound way of communication also comes a revolution in the workplace. In the age of social media, privacy has become a very touchy issue with new complications arising that could hinder the idea of privacy. Are we as Americans putting ourselves out there too much whereas it should be acceptable for an employer to use this information to evaluate potential employees as well as current ones? This is a clear invasion of privacy. Outlined below is discussion regarding the potential harm to employers as well as the employees and job candidates, and legal cases supporting this as a negative practice.
With the evolution of the internet came social networking. People can post their daily activities, photos, and comments regarding opinions on any topic. The world has become consumed with sharing their every moment in life with their “friends”. This oversharing may include photos of a night out drinking with friends, or comments about our current president or about your opposition to the current gun laws. These posts are meant for people who are intended to see them, people who you have accepted to be able to view your page. However, with this freedom of expression open for so many people to...

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42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2
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Driscoll, E. (2013). What Your Social MEdia Reputation Says to Employers. FoxBusiness, www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/06/03/what-your-social-media-repuation-says-to-employers/.
Gordon, P. L., Spataro, A. M., & Simmons, W. J. (2013). Social Media Password Protection and Privacy - The Patchwork of State Laws and How it Affects Employers. Detroit: Littleton Mendelson, P.C.
Hansell, S. (2008, December 15). Let Your Boss Find Your Facebook Friends. The New York Times.
The NLRB and Social Media. Retrieved 2014, May 4, from http://www.nlrb.gov
O'Brien, C. N. (2014). The Top Ten NLRB Cases on Facebook Firings and Employer Social Media Policies. The Oregon Law Review, 337-379.

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