Recently, it has become standard practice for employers to check their applicants online social media pages. This practice can undermine the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 as it provides employers with insight into the applicant's age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ect... Recently, however, many employers' practices include asking for not only an applicant's Facebook information, but their password as well. With this information, an employer can see private photos, updates, and even intimate conversations one might have with people close to them.
An article about these new employment practices can be found here:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/job-applicants-asked-turn-facebook-passwords-article-1.1047427
Personally, I have worked in the same job for the past three years, so my knowledge of modern hiring practices is limited; however, my companies policy is simple. We are asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement, take a drug test, and submit to a background check. I work at a Fixed Based Operation at a local airport.
The nondisclosure agreement is to protect our customers' identities, as we deal with many private jets and many people who wish to remain anonymous, the drug test is required for obvious reasons, and the background check is required for national security purposes. My employers do not feel the need to check an applicant's Facebook because we do not believe it to be important as well as an invasion of privacy.
As I am a pretty private person, I have toyed with the idea of just deleting my Facebook account. Unfortunately when it is "deleted," it will still be out there... there is always a way of getting a hold of old internet content.
Here is an interesting article about why having a Facebook account is a bad idea.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/234598
Feel free to comment about your opinions!
