Question

Should employers ask for and review the Facebook pages or Twitter accounts of applicants?

Do you know of any cases where employees ended up being penalized for using Facebook at work, or posting things on their Facebook page?

Shouldn't people be able to speak freely about their jobs, co-workers and bosses on their Facebook pages outside of work?

Do you know of any companies that have policies regarding Facebook usage?

Is it ethical to play Facebook games at work?

Answer 1

Should employers ask for and review the Facebook pages or Twitter accounts of applicants?

The question is part of the bigger issue which is, how much right does a employer has over privacy of the employee. If personal sphere and work sphere have a overlap. what should be the amount of overlap in the two. Screening facebook pages and twitter accounts amount to screening one's personal life in order to make opinion about their work life. Critics support this in name of identifying people with radical thoughts or abusive behavior , however, there are other ways to do the same, which re more personality interview , panel discussions, character certificate from previous employer etc. So, In my view asking personal account information is neither desirable nor necessary in order to evaluate someone.

Do you know of any cases where employees ended up being penalized for using Facebook at work, or posting things on their Facebook page?

Recently, in India, an employee of HDFC bank who happened to belong to minority wrote certain views about condition of minority in India on twitter. His statements were deemed to be anti India (by people of majority religion) . His profile showed he was worker in HDFC, facing backlash, HDFC had to suspend the employee for the inquiry in order to save itself from any negative sentiments from the majority.

Shouldn't people be able to speak freely about their jobs, co-workers and bosses on their Facebook pages outside of work?

Undoubtedly yes, they should be. This is their fundamental right to speech which all modern day civilisation provide today. Every individual has right to form opinion and express them and express them with an audience of their choice. As said earlier, the distinction in personal and work sphere has to be respected. They both are important part of life and one cannot override the other.

Do you know of any companies that have policies regarding Facebook usage?

IT giant Infosys in some countries has policy which disallows use of facebook and other social media on the network of the office. These sites are blocked on the network.

Is it ethical to play Facebook games at work?

No, it's not ethical to indulge in playing games on facebook during work. As said before the two spheres of personal and work should remain separate and no sphere should over ride the other. During work hours killing time through any means including facebook game is not a good work ethic.