EMPLOYERS AND SOCIAL NETWORKING

By Tom LannonCIS 1055 004

Why Do Employers Use Social Networking?

To recruit potential employees. To screen out candidates that do not fit

the model of their type of employee. To find out what their employees are like

outside of the work place.

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Why Are They So Concerned With What’s On Your Profile?

The employer can be held responsible for what their employee states.

Companies can face numerous different lawsuits and are held liable over what is said on an employee’s profile.

Some lawsuits and liabilities include: slander, libel, defamation, trade secrets and intellectual property infringement, securities fraud, gun-jumping, and harassment.

What Do Employers Look For On These Sites?

Whether or not the employee is engaging in any offensive or inappropriate behavior.

If an employee is stating any private matter in the public setting.

If any activity that the employee partakes in reflects badly on the business’ image to prospective and current clients. http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F

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Interesting Profile

What Employers Are Doing About This Issue?

Employers are placing policies in the work place that warns all employees of the repercussions of their involvement in such activities.

Banning the use of social networking sites in the workplace to prevent a lack of productivity.

Consistent monitoring of these sites to check on all employees.

Pros & ConsPROS CONS

Allows businesses to keep tabs on all employees.

Screens out all potential problem applicants.

Lets the organization to keep a good reputation amongst their clients.

Can possibly weed out the most qualified candidate.

Invasion of the employee’s personal life.

Employers may take things posted on the internet out of context.

How Many Companies Are Really Doing This?

In a poll taken from research firm Harris Interactive, over 2600 HR representatives were surveyed and 45% of which had stated they do their online due diligence.

In the same sample group, another 11% said that their companies would plan on implementing this social media screen in the near future.

In the same study, 35% have reported to have found material on the web that caused employers not to hire some candidates.

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Is there anything online

we should know

about?

What Can We Do? Be more aware of what activities are

going to be online. Be more conscientious of what we say

online and to co-workers. If you think some behavior could

jeopordize your career, you probably shouldn’t be doing it.

They’re Watching

References Masuda, Tom, “Social Networking and Employers,”

http://www.primerus.com/news/resources_business/social-networking-and-employers, November 16, 2009, April 13, 2010.

Van Grove, Jennifer, “45% of Employers Now Screen Social Media Profiles,” http://mashable.com/2009/08/19/social-media-screening/, April 13, 2010.

New York Employment Law Letter, “Why Employers Can’t Ignore Social Networking Sites,”http://hrhero.com/hl/articles/2009/09/11/why-employers-cant-ignore-social-networking-sites, September 11, 2009, April 11, 2010.

“Employers Using Social Networking Sites For Recruiting,” http://www.mergisgroup.com/Find_Jobs/Articles/Mergis_Career_Article_Why_Employers_Use_Social_Networking.jsp, April 11, 2010.