Employers asking job seekers for Facebook passwords

[skwire]

Even though I don't have a Facebook account, this is good news.  However, the first comment (by jpaugh) after that article says it all:

"It's sad that they had to pass a bill for this kind of thing. If an employer asks for your Facebook password, whoever came up with the idea should be fired immediately. I'm tired of seeing all these stupid laws pop up that should well be covered by common sense."

[Josh]

Even though I don't have a Facebook account

-skwire (April 10, 2012, 09:14 AM)

Wait...then who do I have on my friends list?!?!?!? uh oh....

[skwire]

Wait...then who do I have on my friends list?!?!?!? uh oh....

-Josh (April 10, 2012, 09:22 AM)

Not me...

[Renegade]

  If nothing else I can add a quote that pretty much spells it out:
Benjamin Franklin said it best..."Those who give up their freedom in the name of security deserve neither freedom nor security."

-Tinman57 (April 03, 2012, 07:25 PM)

+100 (check my sig )

[magician62]

This follows the practice of employers asking what you earned in your last job.

The answer is NO, when they ask why, you say it was in the contract you had with your previous employer that you not disclose the information, and you assume they have similar terms. And if they still insist on knowing, point out that as they have no regard for legal contracts, they are implying they will accept without contention you telling any future employer what they paid.

It falls into the category of '"If I told you, I would have to kill you"

[SeraphimLabs]

I know this has been brought up in a few discussions I've seen- employers regularly snooping on people's facebook info and prohibiting people from complaining about their jobs or co-workers. I honestly call foul at that level- freedom of speech means people have a right to complain about their jobs or their coworkers as long as they are not doing so at the company's expense or on the company's scheduled time.

This? I would honestly refuse to provide it, and if they refused the application on that basis I would contact a lawyer to represent me in a legal suit of cyberdiscrimination against them for it. They have no right to intervene in my personal affairs, and the management that thinks they do should be fired.

Besides, the only facebook account I have is for my own company. If they really wanted to see how little was in it, they would first have to sign a nondisclosure agreement under my company's name in order for me to give them permission to access any of that information.

[TaoPhoenix]

This? I would honestly refuse to provide it, and if they refused the application on that basis I would contact a lawyer to represent me in a legal suit of cyberdiscrimination against them for it. They have no right to intervene in my personal affairs, and the management that thinks they do should be fired.

-SeraphimLabs (May 05, 2012, 11:16 AM)

Nah, see that's already too much work. If you have to sue to get hired, they're already going to hate you and if they ever do hire you, they'll sabotage you anyway.

I know the economy sux, but a company that wants your facebook password (!!) is going to trash you anyway.

[SeraphimLabs]

This? I would honestly refuse to provide it, and if they refused the application on that basis I would contact a lawyer to represent me in a legal suit of cyberdiscrimination against them for it. They have no right to intervene in my personal affairs, and the management that thinks they do should be fired.

-SeraphimLabs (May 05, 2012, 11:16 AM)

Nah, see that's already too much work. If you have to sue to get hired, they're already going to hate you and if they ever do hire you, they'll sabotage you anyway.

I know the economy sux, but a company that wants your facebook password (!!) is going to trash you anyway.

-TaoPhoenix (May 05, 2012, 11:33 AM)

By that point I wouldn't want to work for them anyway. I'd make the case against their policies, but then not accept the job offer because of the risks attached. Besides, if the case is won it would have enough of a payout to not need a job for a while. I'd have time to find somewhere else to work.

[TaoPhoenix]

This? I would honestly refuse to provide it, and if they refused the application on that basis I would contact a lawyer to represent me in a legal suit of cyberdiscrimination against them for it. They have no right to intervene in my personal affairs, and the management that thinks they do should be fired.

-SeraphimLabs (May 05, 2012, 11:16 AM)

Nah, see that's already too much work. If you have to sue to get hired, they're already going to hate you and if they ever do hire you, they'll sabotage you anyway.

I know the economy sux, but a company that wants your facebook password (!!) is going to trash you anyway.

-TaoPhoenix (May 05, 2012, 11:33 AM)

By that point I wouldn't want to work for them anyway. I'd make the case against their policies, but then not accept the job offer because of the risks attached. Besides, if the case is won it would have enough of a payout to not need a job for a while. I'd have time to find somewhere else to work.

-SeraphimLabs (May 05, 2012, 12:15 PM)

I dunno about the use of hiring suits to create cash, that feels dubious. I'd just ditch it early on and move to the next company.