Why is it illegal for employers to ask me about my relationship status and religious affiliation, but legal for employers to demand my Facebook password and look up the answer for themselves?
@xEOTOx (6)
Chicago, Illinois
August 11, 2013 3:34pm CST
Can someone with a legal background explain to me how this is legal? Facebook contains my marital status and my religious affiliation. In it I discuss personal health information, whether or not I'm pregnant (I'm not), etc. None of this information is legal for potential employers to ask me, yet it's legal for them to go onto Facebook and look. Why is that the case?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Aug 13
I would assume it's because there's no law preventing it. You could make your Facebook account unsearchable, and then tell them you don't have one. There are laws in some states (not passed yet, but possibly going to be voted on) that will prohibit this practice.
2 people like this
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
12 Aug 13
It's illegal in a few states. California is supposedly among them.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Aug 13
@cupkitties I don't think CA passed that law yet, not sure
@jimbo45reborn (352)
• Aberdeen, Scotland
12 Aug 13
wow!!!!!!!
employers can demand your facebook password!!!!!
my facebook page is locked down pretty tight and info on it is sparse on the personal side of things
potential employers - well luckily in the uk we do not have to pass this type of info on
if we did i think there would indeed be a rebellion and mass display of civil disobedience
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
12 Aug 13
My brother in law quit a job after his employers threatened to fire him for not giving his Facebook information. This after they swore they'd never ask such a thing of their employees.
@jimbo45reborn (352)
• Aberdeen, Scotland
12 Aug 13
@cupkitties
i bet employers worldwide would love reading through old mylot posts
i would quit my job as well if an employer asked me for my facebook info
mind you
my sort of boss is my best pal and we have full access to each others pages
@Redisis (52)
• Henderson, Tennessee
12 Aug 13
This is what OUR government is coming down to. If more people do NOT stand up for their rights the United States of America will be lost to Bull Crap!!!!
