Germany Plans Limits on Facebook Use in Hiring

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

As part of the draft of a law governing workplace privacy, the German government on Wednesday proposed placing restrictions on employers who want to use Facebook profiles when recruiting.

The bill would allow managers to search for publicly accessible information about prospective employees on the Web and to view their pages on job networking sites, like LinkedIn or Xing. But it would draw the line at purely social networking sites like Facebook, said Philipp Spauschus, a spokesman for the Interior Minister, Thomas de Maizière.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet on Wednesday gave its backing to the proposed law. The bill will now go to Parliament for discussion, and could be passed as early as this year, Mr. Spauschus said.

The law also would prohibit companies from secretly videotaping employees, though they could still videotape in certain areas as long as they disclosed the fact. It would also allow employers to hold secret investigations when they suspected a crime had been committed.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/business/global/26fbook.html

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Can't get a job because of your Facebook? Move to Germany!

Why should employers have to exploit Facebook in this Internet era just to check for your dirty side? In the old days, it was so much easier to keep your bad side a secret wasn't it?

[dipsydoodle]

1. Might not just be the "dirty side"

Maybe employers are more interested in how much facebook is used during work hours.

[kimmylavin]

13. Yes, but this is for recruiting.

Has nothing to do with how much time you might spend on your computer.

This is to literally dig up dirt.

[dipsydoodle]

14. I know its for recruiting

That's the point I was making. How much time do think an employee should spend on social groups during working hours using both their work computer and smartphone. A lot of employers would say none.

[kimmylavin]

15. I'm so confused.

Right now, I'm unemployed.
I have lots of time to spend on my computer.
So I do, and my FB page reflects that.

That has nothing whatsoever to do with my computer habits when I'm working, nor should it be used as an indicator of such.

Of course employers would say that their employees can't spend time on FB at work. What in the world does that have to do with how much time they spend on it at home? And WHY is it the business of the employer, anyway? Are you the same person at work that you are with your friends?

[dipsydoodle]

16. I meant only

where someone had been in previous employment - not when previously unemployed. I appreciate that what they do out of hours has sfa to do with their employer.

[kimmylavin]

18. I get it!

Finally.
Okay, I see what you're saying.

I've been unemployed for so long, I don't think FB even existed the last time I had a job! :)

I can see why an employer might think this is useful information, but it's not really any of their business. If an employee had an internet abuse problem at work, the potential employer could find out by calling their previous employer (which they should do anyway). Worst case scenario, the employer would find out on their own.

It just seems like there are more and more fingers prying into our personal lives in the interest of the business community (drug tests, etc.), and I don't like it! :) I'm glad Germany did this.

[onehandle]

2. Can't get a job because of your Facebook? Stop using Facebook... Just stop using Facebook, anyway.

Facebook is a plague.

[LostinVA]

3. No it isn't

It's a wonderful way to keep in touch with far-flung friends and family.

[Critters2]

5. +1

I chatted with a college friend who is in Thailand yesterday. It was a great conversation, we really renewed a wonderful friendship. All on Facebook. I'm grateful for this technology.

[JDPriestly]

4. I wonder whether a person's statements on Facebook

could be used as evidence against that person in court. I suspect that might be possible. So be careful what you say on Twitter and Facebook. In fact, be careful of what you say in e-mails or anywhere on the internet. Not that anyone is planning to say anything threatening or evil, but it might be wise to avoid arguing with people on the internet. And don't send letters you wouldn't want third parties to read either. Also, watch what you write in your diary. Big Brother is always watching if you are in the US. You really have no privacy other than what is guaranteed by law -- and that is not a whole lot these days.

[Phil The Cat]

8. Big Brother is watching you EVERYWHERE

Name me one significant sized country ON THIS ENTIRE PLANET which does not snoop on its citizens!

As far as Facebook etc., NEVER say anything electronically you would not shout through a PA system on a crowded street corner! And particularly if you post it in a PUBLIC forum, DON'T COMPLAIN if it comes back to bite you in the ass!


SHOULD privacy be more respected than it is?

Damn straight!

But people historically DO NOT do what they should! That's not a new thing, that's not an American thing, a "western" thing! Misbehavior is GLOBAL!

Making inflexible decisions based on what people SHOULD do is quixotic!

Bottom line: If you say it, you own it! Deep breaths and delete buttons can be your friend!

[JDPriestly]

10. This topic deserves its own thread.

[Gormy Cuss]

12. We don't have sufficient privacy laws to steer people away from such "misbehavior"

and delete buttons don't mean squat once it's posted on the internet.

The issue with using FB and other social media as hiring screens is that it makes an implicit threat that your off-duty, formerly private life belongs to your employer. My view? If they're paying you 24/7 they have the right to dictate how you live. Otherwise there are specific, limited areas where employers should be able to have a say (e.g. recreational use of illegal drugs where that might impede on workplace performance) and otherwise, off the clock is your own business.

[Blue_Tires]

6. ttt

[MrsBrady]

7. why people have open settings on facebook, I have no idea.

You can only see my stuff if I have friended you. Period.

And I don't friend co-workers or employers...duh!

[Phil The Cat]

9. Facebook privacy settings are a speed bump

Not a barricade!

If you don't want to share with the world, don't share it with Facebook!

Not even counting the privacy breaches are the facts A) Some computer geek at FB can still see your info, and B) sometimes even the closest, most trustworthy people in our lives can turn against us and share your embarrasing whatever with a couple mouse clicks!

[daleo]

11. Workers have rights in Germany.

Workers have a substantial share of power in Germany. It also has one of the world's most productive economies.

[ck4829]

17. Too bad corporations here in the US would say limiting it would be an infringement on their rights

And their corporate super-human rights would be upheld 5-4 by the SCOTUS.

K&R, though.