Bill could ban employers from demanding Facebook passwords
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OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A bill making its way through the state Legislature would make it illegal for employers to ask job applicants for their Facebook or other social media passwords.
The bill would also make it illegal for employers to make it a condition of your continued employment.
Employers shouldn't be checking up on their workers during their personal time, according to the bill's sponsor, Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens.
"This is a good idea to do this now, nip it in the bud," said Hobbs.
The bill is currently in a Senate committee. Violators would have to pay employees $500.
Legal experts say gaining access to someone's Facebook or other social media accounts could reveal chronic health conditions, disability, pregnancy, faith, political views, or sexual orientation, which employers are generally not allowed to ask about.
But some say social media has blurred the line between personal and professional aspects of one's life.
"You might actually hire someone for their existing following and use their connections for your business. At what point does that fall into
this bill? It's a gray area," said Michael Shaw of the Washington State Bar Association.
And what about gaining access to your activities or habits? Employers in Illinois have been sued for discriminating against applicants and employees for their use of lawful products, like cigarettes or alcohol.
Maryland is the only state so far that bans employers from asking applicants for their social media logins. But whatever an employer finds out there in the public domain is fair game.
The bill would also make it illegal for employers to make it a condition of your continued employment.
Employers shouldn't be checking up on their workers during their personal time, according to the bill's sponsor, Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens.
"This is a good idea to do this now, nip it in the bud," said Hobbs.
The bill is currently in a Senate committee. Violators would have to pay employees $500.
Legal experts say gaining access to someone's Facebook or other social media accounts could reveal chronic health conditions, disability, pregnancy, faith, political views, or sexual orientation, which employers are generally not allowed to ask about.
But some say social media has blurred the line between personal and professional aspects of one's life.
"You might actually hire someone for their existing following and use their connections for your business. At what point does that fall into
this bill? It's a gray area," said Michael Shaw of the Washington State Bar Association.
And what about gaining access to your activities or habits? Employers in Illinois have been sued for discriminating against applicants and employees for their use of lawful products, like cigarettes or alcohol.
Maryland is the only state so far that bans employers from asking applicants for their social media logins. But whatever an employer finds out there in the public domain is fair game.
I suppose it wouldn't surprise anybody to know that your credit score is another thing prospective employers, insurers and others ask for!
Is it okay for us to ask for theirs as well then?
no
not just no, but HELL NO!!!
if you'll give them your facebook password that would comprise your security what says you won't give your work password out?? maybe they should think about a person showing integrity by refusing ....
no
The sad and shocking fact is, as it stands right now under the Right To Work Act, and with the aggressive tactics of the Citizens United organization, employers have the right to ask for our passwords! This is what I find absolutely shocking. There are few school districts across the country where the teachers are EXPECTED to maintain FB pages, but if the districts find them, or any behavior within, offensive, they can be fired. There has been a case of a teacher taking a page down and being fired for it. So, it is quite obvious that this bill needs to be passed. and past. I, for one, had no idea that employers had the right to such things!
No, we all deserve our privacey. Government is too involved in our lives as it is. Keep your noses out of other people's business and keep your own noses clean. that should be enough for you to handle.
I'm not giving them my bank password either!
absolutely no.
no way!!!!!!
I agree Peter you are entitled to a private life on line or off
ABSOLUTELY NOT
no way . do they tell me theirs ?
I think they need to mind their own business!
Isn't it against the Facebook contract you agree to when you sign up?
No
Absolutely not..why do they feel they need it..Privacy Ac
they just don't quit do they
hell no!
no
NO!!
No!!!
I'd quit my job if my employer demanded my passwords to anything outside of their internal computing environment. I'd rather be unemployed and still have my dignity than be employed by a soulless snake pit. Make no mistake if your employer is asking for your FB password the company is a soulless pit of despair and you are better off anywhere else.
NO!!!
No, and it should be illegal to hold anything on their page against you!
No
people need to realize once you go out into the internet into social media, all privacy goes out the window, thats just the way it is. If you want privacy , dont put your stuff out in the the Ether, for the whole world to see. Thats just the way it is in todays modern world.
If the company has a good IT guy they do not need the passwords.
My passwords are akin to my intellectual property- I thought them up- they belong to me and me alone!
NO
Definitely NOT.
Its none of their Dam Business.
No, employers need to interview you as they have always done. Social media use is like asking them age, sex, etc...
No, Thats why it has to have a password, its for you only, how come they never ask to collect and go through our snail mail's before? social and work are two different things, social is your life, work is what you do when you get there on time and clock yourself in, please
why not our credit cards and pin numbers too. Enough is enough lets keep the right to privacy.
NO,..NO,..and No again...I'm getting a bit skeptical about people invading our privacy. Can anybody define socialism? I sure know it when I see it comin ....
@Pamela Brookshier This isn't even socialism. This is shear tyranny, power and control. Its called the MOB runs everything, just like they did in Russia, just like in Mexico, just like they are heavily doing now in the states.
I say it's about time!
I can't believe an employer would ask.
They can fire me if they want but it is MY PRIVATE ACCOUNT and they have zero right to access any part of it that I do not want made public.. and I would sue their asses..
No. But as I work for a division of Homeland Security I believe they have helped themselves without my consent via the Patriot Act.
No!! What I do on my own time is nobody's business!!
no
this whole thing amounts to letting your boss's move in with you at your house....... fine. Let them move in with me. They would have a blast. :-) I love my bosses/owners.......
Actually, the thing is, giving your fb password to anyone violates their terms of service which in turn violates the DMCA which makes doing so a federal crime already. Do we really need to spend more money on redundant laws?
Are they going to ask for copies of letters we write?
No
it is an invasion of privacy of free people............
NO they don't!!!Is there NO privacy anymore?!?!??!