To screen or not to screen: The ethics of social media in hiring

To screen or not to screen: The ethics of social media in hiring

Hiring the wrong person risks an organisation’s reputation and wastes time and money. But incorporating social media screening into the hiring process bears its own legal and ethical considerations. Here’s how to navigate the minefield.

 

Picture this: you’re 22 and you’ve been on X (Twitter), Instagram and Facebook since you were legally allowed to set up an account at 13 years old.

You’re applying for a job. You think the interview went well; you did your homework and were prepared for all the questions. You get the phone call. An offer! Subject to references, which you aren’t worried about. 

A few days later, the telephone rings. You’re surprised and upset to hear they are withdrawing their offer after a social media screening process. They don’t specify what has raised a red flag, and you’re perplexed. Like many of your generation, you have lived your life on social media since you were a child. 

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