Screening Applicants Using Social Networking Sites: Legal or Liability?

• Overview
• Agenda
• Faculty
• Credits

Benefits

Job applicants have long used the internet to research employers. But now, employers are using the internet to research job applicants as well. Employers aren't only using search engines to find information on applicants but are now examining social networking sites, such as Facebook® or MySpace®. For job applicants, social networking site are places to interact with peers in any manner they choose. Entries on these sites are typically not meant for employers to view. Employers tell anecdotes of avoiding serious mistakes by using these tools. Conversely, some job applicants feel they have been denied opportunities unfairly by employers or recruiters snooping on social websites, and viewing materials out of context or web entries meant just in fun for friends. This teleconference will review this emerging area of employment law, examining the pros and cons of employers utilizing such tools and the legal landscape. Topics will cover how and why employers and recruiters utilize these sites. It will then cover a number of legal implications, such as problems with employers obtaining information they should not have and privacy issues. Finally, we will examine approaches that employers, recruiters and applicants may consider.

FACEBOOK is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. and this event is not sponsored by or affiliated with Facebook.

MYSPACE is a registered trademark of MySpace, Inc. and this event is not sponsored by or affiliated with MySpace.