Bozeman City job requirement raises privacy concerns (World Media)

[Drew Wilson]

Applying for a job with the City of Bozeman? You may be asked to provide more personal information than you expected.

That was the case for one person who applied for employment with the City. The anonymous viewer emailed the news station recently to express concern with a component of the city's background check policy, which states that to be considered for a job applicants must provide log-in information and passwords for social network sites in which they participate.

The requirement is included on a waiver statement applicants must sign, giving the City permission to conduct an investigation into the person's "background, references, character, past employment, education, credit history, criminal or police records."

"Please list any and all, current personal or business websites, web pages or memberships on any Internet-based chat rooms, social clubs or forums, to include, but not limited to: Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube.com, MySpace, etc.," the City form states. There are then three lines where applicants can list the Web sites, their user names and log-in information and their passwords.

More...

WTH? Bad enough they are asking for user ID's for such sites, but what on Earth could possibly justify demanding passwords as well??? Ludicrous! Why don't they ask for bank account numbers and PIN numbers as well while they are at it!?

[fleecy]

there's no way in hell that that should be allowed. it's creepy enough that employers google candidates (be careful how and what you post on these pages). seems like a blatant violation of privacy rights to demand passwords.

[Aaron_Walkhouse]

That's just not legal. I guess that city's too small to afford a lawyer for advice.

[mountain_rage]

Sweet where can I apply? I want to be part of the class action lawsuit that will win me a years salary.

[notbob]

it isn't illegal to ask. they can ask for anything they want. if you are stupid enough to give it to them, more power to them. 2 and a half letters for you... n/a

you should put your facebook/etc. to private if you are looking to get a job anyway. if it's private, they won't see it, which is good if you are stupid enough to post idiotic and illegal activities on your social networking sites

[mountain_rage]

it isn't illegal to ask. they can ask for anything they want. if you are stupid enough to give it to them, more power to them. 2 and a half letters for you... n/a

you should put your facebook/etc. to private if you are looking to get a job anyway. if it's private, they won't see it, which is good if you are stupid enough to post idiotic and illegal activities on your social networking sites

If you refuse and don't get the job I'm sure there are some privacy laws under which you can sue. There are certain levels of privacy afforded to all citizens, and steps that force people to give up that information can be seen as excessive and unlawful leading to an employee seeking damages.

[notbob]

problem is, hr people know how to play the game. you have to prove discrimination. they won't make it that easy for you. they wouldn't say "we didn't hire you because you didn't give any passwords" they'd say "we went with a more qualified candidate" your lawsuit would fall flat on its face

add to that the fact that unemployment is almost 15% in many places in the USA. they will get hundreds of applications regardless of the requirements. you don't have to give them any information. they don't have to hire you either. in the usa, there is no "right to employment"

[Aaron_Walkhouse]

All it takes is for one person to leave the illegally demanded personal details out
and then get fired or disciplined in any way for failing to comply with the illegal
order. Not only is it a slam dunk for a lawsuit but state and federal prosecutors
are also in a position to drag them into court too.

That wasn't asking, but was demanding invasion of privacy as a condition of
employment and attempting to get people to waive a constitutional right to legalize
it. Not only is the invasion illegal, trying to get a waiver against the Constitution
is also illegal under the system of law built on that constitution. Such waivers
never survive in court and this one wouldn't survive even the threat of somebody
calling that bluff.

It's pretty clear they don't have a lawyer on retainer to check their moves before
they commit to them, a standard procedure in any competent government.

[1cooldude]

"...competent government.":chairfall:

that's a paradox...right?

[fleecy]

or an oxymoron.

any company that feels they can be that intrusive is one i wouldn't work for.

[1cooldude]

That's just not legal. I guess that city's too small to afford a lawyer for advice.

It seems they had checked into the legality of this practice and have decide to stop this before a lawsuit. Damn, there goes my retirement plan.

Bozeman, MN.,Population 30,419 (2008)