Ethics of Employers Searching Online Profiles

          With new Internet technologies developing employers searching online social networking profiles of potential employees is becoming more common. It is increasingly important to assure that ones online profile is kept clear of any incriminating photographs or evidence. It is a controversial debate whether or not it is ethical for employers to look into the lives of their prospects and base hiring decisions partly off of online profiles. People in search of a new job must be aware that there is a chance that employers are checking online and take necessary precautions to make sure that there is nothing online that will prevent them from being chosen for a job.

          In the discussed case, a recent college graduate was not hired at a law firm because of pictures posted on Facebook, that he was unaware of, taken his junior year at a fraternity party. Though it is legal for employers to perform these kind of investigations, I do not believe it is necessarily ethical, or reasonable at that. The graduate was confident that his interview was successful and believed that the employers thought he would be a quality person to hire. The interviews should have focused more on what they found out about the man applying for the job in the interview rather than the picture they found online. There are a large number of college students who attend parties during their college experience. I would even say it is probably a majority of students. One picture taken at a party does not mean anything about the students’ work ethic, responsibility, or competency in a career.

          In an article by Greg Fish on the business week website, he states, “With a few pictures and a strategic paragraph, a shy and quiet intern-to-be can easily make himself look like a party-hopping raver.” This is true. There is a chance that this was the only party that the potential employee attended during classes. If his resume showed that he was qualified for the job because of involvement in the school, other experience, and the grades he received, then that is what the employees should consider. Not a single photo online.

          I do believe that the man was responsible for this photo, however. It was his job to assure that his profile did not have photographs that could get him into trouble. His profile should have been set on a private setting. The friend who posted the photo is not at fault because it was not his responsibility to assure that there were not photographs of his friends. Though, it would be a good idea for him to take these pictures down because assumptions can be made about him as well. It was not necessarily ethical for him to post the pictures online in the first place. I would suggest that in the future, he set his profile so that other people who are not his “friends” cannot view it. He should also assure that no photos could be attached to him that shows him participating in illegal activity. He should ask his friend to take the pictures off of Facebook so that it will not cause future problems.

          Greg Fish also reminds us “job seekers already have to contend with background screens, drug tests, credit checks, and verification of employment history, education, and income.” If the person trying to get the job can pass these tests, a picture from the past should not have an influence on whether or not a person should get a job. He was obviously qualified and likely could have performed the job well. He missed his chance because of a photo online and that is not fair to the young man searching for a job. I do not believe that employers should base their decisions of whom they will hire off of online profiles. These are often times not representative of the person and there are more ethical and appropriate ways to discover who the person is and how they will perform in a career.