

The law took effect at 12:01 a.m. today



Michigan is another state that passed a similar law last month.





Source: Reuters

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Common Sense


RE: Common Sense


RE: Common Sense
Desperate job seekers don't have much power.



RE: Common Sense

RE: Common Sense
But I brought enough wooden footstools and borscht for everyone!

RE: Common Sense
By Paj on 1/2/13, Rating: 0
RE: Common Sense
Sh!t like this is why unions are needed.


RE: Common Sense


RE: Common Sense


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RE: Common Sense


RE: Common Sense

Why have a facebook account?
By wavetrex on 1/2/2013 1:45:15 AM , Rating: 3
What I don't understand from all this nonsense of employers asking for facebook accounts... is why would anyone want or need a facebook account?

Seriously, what is it's purpose? I've been using computers for quite a long time, and been on the internet since the days of 14.4kbps dial-up modems, and had "accounts" on countless online services. For example, I have a Google account because it gives me e-mail and personalized search results.

Yet, I simply can't find ANY use at all for a facebook account. (or any other "social network" account for that matter).

Or maybe it's that today people really have "no life", and they supplant that with having "online friends". How sad. What a bunch of sorry ass loosers we are, humanity.

By Omega215D on 1/2/2013 6:20:35 AM , Rating: 2
Sadly if you don't have a Facebook account you are seen as anti-social and have something to hide. Sometimes the people in charge need a good beating, preferably in public.

RE: Why have a facebook account?
By cyberguyz on 1/2/2013 7:59:30 AM , Rating: 2
Welcome to the 21st century. As the previous respondent pointed out if you do not represent yourself in social media (i.e. facebook, linkedin, twitter, etc) you are considered antisocial and not a desirable employee. Desirable employees are those that are interested in networking with their peers in the various industries.

I think employers asking for passwords to personal media is an invasion of digital privacy. However laws will not stop employers from demanding it and making the careers at their firm for those that do not miserable (there are ways to do that without invoking that law).

Note: I have been in the computing industry since long before IBM trademarked the term "PC" and the Internet existed.

RE: Why have a facebook account?
By vXv on 1/2/2013 8:10:31 AM , Rating: 2
I don't have a facebook, twitter nor linkedin account and I didn't have any problems with that. People sometimes do ask me why I don't have such an account the simple answer like "I don't need it" and/or "due to privacy concerns" have been sufficient so far.

While the real reason has nothing to do with privacy (it just makes people shut up). The point is ... I don't need the service they offer so why would I sign up there?

There a lot of more direct ways to connect to / communicate with the people I do want to interact with.

RE: Why have a facebook account?
By wavetrex on 1/2/2013 9:05:24 AM , Rating: 1
Well the 21st century is really weird then.

What happened to going out to a concert and starting to talk to the people about the performances?
What happened to simply talking to a stranger in a train and discovering that they are a friend of a neighbor you had 10 years ago.
How about actual friends you go out in the city with every Friday (or more often)
Hey, let's be modern and use technology. CALL your friend on the phone and ask how is he/she feeling.

Nowadays everyone sticks their nose in their touch-enabled gadgets, ignoring everything else that happens around them, and clicking "Like" to all the internet crap that they are not really interested in.

Anyone remember the movie Wall-E and the people on the Spaceship riding their hover-chairs ?

Someone said recently: "We live in the age of smart phones and dumb humans"... how true !

Facebook and others like it don't make you more social. They make you totally ANTISOCIAL, unable to meet people and talk properly with them in REAL LIFE.

RE: Why have a facebook account?
People still do all of those things.


By euclidean on 1/2/2013 9:30:39 AM , Rating: 2
Not to be rude, but you sound like someone who was 'burnt' by having a Facebook (etc.) account, or you had a hard time getting past 5 friends....

Not everyone is 'addicted' to Social Media. I find it useful to capture my memories and share them with friends/family when appropriate. But that does not stop me from going out, taking trips, talking with strangers, or even - gasp! - calling someone up and talking to them. There's much more to Social Media than just leaving the real-world behind to fall in a 'tough' game of Farmville (or whatever the current FB game is...).

Note: Since we're adding these notes - I don't have a Facebook account either - I use G+. Much more useful being integrated with my Google account.

RE: Why have a facebook account?
By Jeffk464 on 1/2/2013 10:15:50 AM , Rating: 2
Just set up a "I love me" facebook account. Post a few positive things about yourself and don't worry about it.

RE: Why have a facebook account?



By Scannall on 1/1/2013 9:07:23 PM , Rating: 2
Regardless of these new laws, if you're looking for work it'd be a really good idea for you to keep a very well groomed and scoured Facebook.

Use it to present whatever you want prospective employers to see, and not for pictures of you passed out at a party.

RE: Regardless
By schmandel on 1/1/2013 11:00:53 PM , Rating: 1
Facebook accounts are for losers. Just say no.

If I were still in the placement business a candidate having no social media baggage or fixations could definitely set themselves above the rest.

RE: Regardless
By Dr of crap on 1/2/2013 10:35:38 AM , Rating: 2
Think back to the year 2000 -
No facebook
No social media
An employer asks you to bring in photos you took over the last few months for them to look over. Or to have you record the next few months of phone calls and then let them hear what you had to say in the calls.

See any difference there?

Nope they are the same thing as asking for your Facebook sign info. They have no reason to ask for it! And you should not have to give it.

RE: Regardless
By dark matter on 1/2/2013 5:31:21 PM , Rating: 2
Actually, it would be a better idea in your interview to keep a well groomed LinkedIn account.

That way you can easily skirt around your utterly debauched Facebook account by claiming "I don't have a facebook account, I find it unprofessional and a bit of a time sink. Which is why I use LinkedIn."

Accessing personal acounts
By Fujikoma on 1/2/2013 10:25:42 AM , Rating: 3
I don't see how this isn't illegal in the states, since it's already illegal to ask about religious and political affiliations for a (non-governmental) job anyway. Facebook has all sorts of stuff that an employer couldn't legally ask a job candidate, so it seems odd that no one has fought it on that level.

By ksherman on 1/2/2013 11:16:20 AM , Rating: 1
Nice of them to pass this silly law than to spend time dealing with the ridiculous pension situation in Illinois. The politics in my state are driving me crazy!

No tech is bad tech, right?
By schmandel on 1/2/2013 11:58:06 AM , Rating: 1
Someone inflicts a world-class Bad Idea on so many levels like Facebook on us and we must immediately accept it as a given and accommodate its properties. Why is this?

The appropriate course of action to take with regard to intrinsically dishonest and pernicious entities such as Facebook is to bury them in an unmarked grave. Harass their operators, destroy their assets, take no prisoners.

...but they can still fire you!
By Beenthere on 1/2/13, Rating: -1
