Social media has become a basic part of our lives. It would not be wrong to say that the newsfeed of our social media accounts depicts our mentality. We watch things that suit our mentality and the more it comes before us as such is the algorithm of social media accounts.
Social media like the spread of good and positivity is also a main spot for airing flames of malfeasance, malevolence, negativity, and hatred. Sitting before the screen, viewing, liking and sharing , we all become direct or indirect sources of promoting content and the cause of its implications as well.
Now we see the social media portion in almost all of the job applications. The inclusion of social media in CVs and resumes has become mandatory. Such a step is to properly assess the applicant before recruiting. Among other parameters, this portion also becomes a benchmark to scrutinize and filter applicants.
When social media is a depiction of one’s personal life and mentality, is it fair to ask for such a private thing that has none to do with skills? The job offered is to do an assigned job using skills. Is the consideration and monitoring of private life and activities necessary for employers?
There is no doubt that employers have none to do with with employee’s personal life. The only thing that matters is the dexterity of the employee to accomplish the task, his agility, and his approach. The employer buys the services of employees, not his life, and the employee becomes a source of fulfillment of the task, not the servant, that employer should suss out his life. So should that portion of providing social media be discarded???
I will shout a big “No”
Why?
First of all, I do not believe that asking for social media handles is unjustified or a breach of privacy. Social media accounts are rarely private. Mostly they are public and have access to the whole globe so if the company/employer is asking for it, he is completely justified. Proper monitoring and scrutinization of the social media accounts of applicants will assist the employer in hiring a person who best suits the job and who best suits the company as well.
The workplace is not individual but the tasks are fulfilled with teams and collaborations. A person keeping bigotry views and hatred or a person promoting and supporting evil views and thoughts will not be good for the overall working atmosphere and will cause tarnishing of the company.
Employers are not only responsible for hiring people and taking work from them but proper management of the workplace, working atmosphere, and working team is also his responsibility. He is responsible for a healthy working atmosphere and if any neglect him insetts a toxic person in the workplace, there are high chance that the system will erode.
It is the utter responsibility of the employer to ensure that the right person comes for the right job and the person does not risk the security or reputation of the firm/institution. Social media monitoring can better help the employer. As it is normal to demand character certificates, charge sheet details, and health certificates, the ask for social media should also be normal.
This is my blog for hl-exclusive and hl-w149e1.