Question: Is it fair to terminate someone's employment or refuse to hire them based on personal information on websites?

(Posted by: Mr. Bradshaw on 2009-05-01 09:55:27)

Do you think it's right or wrong to fire someone or deny them employment based on the information gathered on personal websites (myspace, face- book, etc)? I personally feel that if the person keeps things strictly professional during work hours then it's not any one's right to peep into their personal websites.

Posted by: Karen on 2009-05-01, 10:00:06

Its not fair, but people should have common sense about using those sites when posting things. even if you keep your profiles private people can still get access to things. if i were an employer and found employees doing things outside of work that could make my company look bad I would fire them.

Posted by: Crimson1337 on 2009-05-01, 09:58:49

I agree with you but that's not always the case.. people are nosy..

Posted by: Whiplash on 2009-05-01, 09:58:54

Yes, a company can do whatever in the hell it wants

Posted by: pureblueagave on 2009-05-01, 09:58:56

Morally, it might be wrong, but legally, there's nothing you can do about it. Most applications have a clause saying you can be terminated at any time for any reason. If you sign that document (the application), then you give them permission to fire you.

Posted by: kennethbsantos on 2009-05-01, 09:59:21

I think it is. If you are willing to put up your information for all to see you should be prepared to deal with any consequences or repercussions.

Posted by: Amy on 2009-05-01, 09:59:33

Yep. Let's face it, the internet is here to stay and what you put out there about yourself is permanent. THINK before you do something people!!!

Posted by: sugarhigh on 2009-05-01, 09:59:42

Agree. That's personal info... It's like not hiring someone because of what they have in their sock drawer.

Posted by: tylertxan on 2009-05-01, 09:59:48

Sorry--but if you post it--you're responsible for it--I might suggest you learn a little internet discipline. Ya don't want somebody that posts perv pics on their facebook site to be teaching little kiddies now do you? What you basically suggest is to let people be irresponsible with no consequences for their irresponsibility.

Posted by: Melody N on 2009-05-01, 09:59:48

I think it is wrong however I am in a profession where I hire and train a lot of people and I always tell my current managers this... if you put it out there on a public forum then expect to live with the consequences ... its just fact!

Posted by: halo_on on 2009-05-01, 09:59:49

It kind of depends what's on your website doesn't it? If you have references to drugs or something illegal on there, why wouldn't your employer have a right to act, if they found out? What did they find? Your question isn't complete.

Posted by: jamesraid101 on 2009-05-01, 09:59:54

That is right, i think it's totally wrong for someone to deny work just because of who they are personally. It's the quality of their work that counts.

Posted by: *Milo's Mommy* on 2009-05-01, 10:00:26

I worked for Hot topic about 4 years ago, and when I was hired they had you sign a sheet telling you that if you posted anything about the company or anything about your employees that would be considered harassment they would fire you. I think if they have a disclaimer it's fine, but they can't fire you or not hire you if they didn't have you sign a disclaimer 1st.

Posted by: danny on 2009-05-01, 10:00:34

Unfortunately employers can choose their own criteria in hiring, as long as it doesn't violate your State's laws (often sex, age, etc). If they found out you do something that their company doesn't agree with they could fire you. This one time I worked at a sex shop, and the owner of the shop had found out I did porn occasionally on the internet, and had my own website. He fired me for having a conflict of interests.

Posted by: Jofhw69 on 2009-05-01, 10:00:44

Well it depends on the job. Say for example your childs teacher has a website that is completely inappropriate that children in the class could see? Teachers need to be respected to be able to keep order in the classroom for kids to be able to learn.

Posted by: Ebony and Ivory on 2009-05-01, 10:00:57

I disagree. If that person has a personal website and makes it public...then he/ she is not that bright!!!

Posted by: Joe on 2009-05-01, 10:01:00

People do it but i thought there was a law that made it illegal or they could sew you. I think something bad can come from it.

Posted by: Ar Par on 2009-05-01, 10:01:06

I think its wrong too. ive heard it done many times via facebook,myspace, etc. a simple picture can screw it all up!

Posted by: Lot in his cave on 2009-05-01, 10:01:32

Depends. A police officer who makes racist remarks on a website in his own time needs to be kicked out the force regardless of how professional he is at work Do you think this would be unfair? Who you really are is more than who you are at work, and often you represent a company and so it is difficult to say "oh, that's just how I am at home ". The public/ customers will judge the company on how the employees behave regardless of context. Would you employ Hitler if he promised to keep his opinions out of the workplace if you knew what he got up to in his spare thime? EDIT - Although you call it personal information I think it ceases to be personal once you put it on the web for 6 billion strangers to read

Posted by: pisces1932 on 2009-05-01, 10:02:28

I think it's okay to peep because it shows the person's true personality. It shows if they are a serious person or one who likes to party. It shows their attitude. It shows a lot that is not on the surface, and it is unrehearsed. It shows how they want to be perceived by the world. It is a little psychological snapshot of the person. I think looking at that is looking at the true person, not the phony one I would see in an interview. I want to see what the person is really like, which helps me to determine if they would be a good fit in my office. If you do not want someone to see things about you to form their opinion, then you should not put yourself on public display.

Posted by: Dan on 2009-05-01, 10:03:20

Yes.. for instance if i am running a best buy and i am looking to hire a sales rep for TV's. i check the applicants myspace and hes got a huge pot leaf background, a blog about how he hates certain people or certain things and pictures of him doing odd weird things.. why in the god damn hell am i going to hire somebody like that? why?