Question

1. What do you think about employers using the Internet to check into the online postings and personas of job candidates? Does this practice pose any legal concerns? Ethical concerns?

Answer 1

1. What do you think about employers using the Internet to check into the online postings and personas of job candidates? Does this practice pose any legal concerns? Ethical concerns?

I do not think it is appropriate for employers to look at personal profiles to assess their applicants. The information in those profiles has no effect on what the person will do in their job, and it is a violation of the privacy of the person. People upload their photos and other contents for their friends, not to show how they would do their work.

Examining candidates' profiles not only provides new strategic recruitment options, but the use of online information also presents a serious legal and ethical concern for organizations. These are:

• The first legal and ethical concern is an employee’s right to personal life. There can be many reasons for someone getting entangled in online communication. The person may ask for information, help, development and friendship. Depending on the motivation for participation, individuals will have very different social media accounts. Should a candidate be dismissed from the recruitment process because they use social media for help or friendship instead of professional networking?
• The second legal and ethical concern is the right of an employee to know the organization's pre-employment screening process. When an organization performs a background check, candidates are told that procedures will occur and will be asked to sign a document giving their permission. The candidate understands the details of background search such as when, how and why. If candidates do not wish to participate in these types of searches, they may refuse to sign the background search permission form and opt-out of the recruitment process. When a manager conducts an online search, they do not necessarily inform the candidate of the search, what information the manager needs to obtain or how it can be used in decision making. There is no explanation. Is it legal or ethical to use any information found on a search engine as a basis for hiring or finishing a candidate?
• It is not lawful to discriminate against any person in relation to hiring. Some managers are looking at social media as an opportunity to gain information that may affect their perceptions of applicants and ultimately hire results. Is it legal or ethical for a hiring manager to conduct an undisclosed search and make unannounced hiring decisions? Doesn't this create an opportunity for discrimination?

Organizations that want to check on the profile of candidates must be legally and ethically prepared before appointing a candidate. It is recommended that all organizations develop legal, ethical and transparent recruitment policies. A good strategic policy will allow an organization to promote better coupling between an applicant and organizations, but organizations must actively create and present this legal process on solid legal and ethical grounds.