Job applications and facebook password

[sommap]

This is something new.  I think it is a total invasion of privacy.  It seems there are some companies out there that are asking for your facebook passord on their job applications.  I have read that it is mandatory.  I think somebody is trying to pas a law that this is not legal.  I don't have anything on my facebook page that I would not want an employer to see, but that is not the point.  We need some privacy.  People should also be a bit careful about what they do write on their pages. 

[Barbaralynne]

They do not need your password except to go in as you, they could ask to be "friended " if they wanted to contact you or check what you are doing, No ,I would not give it.

[plennis]

I THINK IT IS NOT RIGHT.  Would they ask to see all personal correspondence you have sent out?  No everyone would be up in arms about that, just because it is the computer it is still private!

[phantom306]

I have no problem at all with an employer wanting to be friends with me on Facebook because I have nothing to hide...but I will REFUSE to give anyone my password.  That is crossing the line and a huge invasion of privacy...it would be like them asking for your credit card number.  It's hard enough to keep things private these days with the technology of the world and I have a feeling it won't stop here...so I would recommend to anyone to NOT put anything on your Facebook or any other social network site that could hurt, hinder or ruin your reputation.

[LambkinLou7]

I agree!  Don't potential employers have enough information to utilize just from an interview?  It's bad enough that you are judged by everything you say, what kind of car you drive, what your credit score is, what your name is, the amount of experience you have (regardless of education), your ethnicity, the amount of children you have, if you are sick or disabled (by law they can't, but we know they do), your age, where you were born, if you have a criminal background (as though you can never be forgiven) and a bunch of stuff they keep adding to chip away at any dignity that you have.  There are more job candidates than there should be, it sad and pathetic.  Everyone needs a way to support themselves, Facebook is not a criteria for employment! 

[krissi79]

  such a stupid thing to do...

[loriecampbell]

Remember...we have no privacy. The only way I can get some of it is not to visit the likes of Facebook. I made up an account but really don't use it. I would refuse to give my password to a potential employer.

[koolcraftlady]

I would not give my password to anyone, including a possible employer.  What is the purpose of having passwords, if you are just going to give them out to anyone?  I really don't feel that it is necessary for an employer to have access to your account.  If your application and interview is not enough for an employer to see who you are and what you are about are enough, then maybe that employer is not worth working for. 

[dreamyxo]

You can just say you don't have FB.  I don't use my real name on my FB so if someone does a search for my name they won't find it.  There was a case not too long ago where a teacher's aid was fired for not giving her FB password.  http://www.khou.com/news/local/Teachers-aide-fired-for-not-giving-up-Facebook-password-145877155.html.  I think it's completely crossing the line for employers.  Be very careful of what you put out online because it may come back to haunt you.  It may prevent you from getting a job, getting into college etc. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/26/fired-over-facebook-posts_n_659170.html#s115707&title=Swiss_Woman_Caught

[florezitta10]

This is something new.  I think it is a total invasion of privacy.  It seems there are some companies out there that are asking for your facebook passord on their job applications.  I have read that it is mandatory.  I think somebody is trying to pas a law that this is not legal.  I don't have anything on my facebook page that I would not want an employer to see, but that is not the point.  We need some privacy.  People should also be a bit careful about what they do write on their pages. 

Omg lol really that too me sounds the same as if they asked for a key to my house hahahha I swear!!

[kingreyam24]

So how do the potential employers even know if the person has a facebook account. Lots of people don't have them. Do they not give them the job then because they do not give them a password to a nonexistant account? This whole thing just makes me laugh at how stupid it is. What the heck is the point of a password then? The next thing you know they'll want the password to your emails too, so they can snoop around there. How the hell is this even possible? I would laugh in their face and call them crazy if they wanted one of my passwords. I have nothing to hide, but still absolutely ridiculous none the less.

[grimboots]

I have never heard of this facebook password thing. I would seriously consider where you are looking, this seems like a scam unless it is some black ops CIA thing, but they could probably get your password anyway. Give them a fake password, or just change it immediatly. Something sounds very fishy though, I would reconsider these jobs.

[mperez7372]

In my opinion, they should be able to judge by what they can see.  If your page is public, then it is fair game.  If you can only see certain information, then you can be judged by that.  I would be so offended in a job interview if someone asked for my personal information.  It would be a good sign to me that the comany has no boundaries and it is somewhere I do not belong!

[remediagirl]

I would not give my password to my FB account to a potential employer either.

[Marchhare80]

I'd never give my password to anyone for any reason. It'd be like an employer asking for my atm pin so they could monitor my spending habits. There is always going to be a risk in hiring anyone-and no way to tell if that person will work out until they get the chance. More profiling, and indicative of current employer paranoia. It's not an "applicants' market. Not with doctors and lawyers and such out of work and flipping burgers part time. How many employers can say they've had a surgeon apply? In this economy, it's happening on many different levels.  Unskilled labor is no longer a job field. Employment seekers have to learn how to make themselves valuable to an employer. Then, when they cross a boundary, you can hold your head up, keep your dignity and privacy, and tell them the terms of your labor with total confidence.