Question

Social media is a platform that some feel is informal and a way to be "themselves" or the opposite an image they want others to view them as. It is not uncommon for employers to look at social media in background checks. But why? One reason is how one communicates when in a situation that is informal. Some of us share too much information. Some voice their extreme political views while others may even use it as a place to vent about work. Just remember that social media platforms can provide a snapshot and messages could be misinterpreted by an employer.

Do you agree, why or why not?

Answer 1

Social media and the employer's role

Yes, I agree. The social media platform has become an unavoidable part of daily life. People prefer to share their personal, professional, political and religious opinion. Moreover, social media is also used as a medium for communication with communities. The employers tend to verify social media to check out the personal and professional background. However, the risk of information manipulation is always associated with social media if proper security options are not maintained accordingly. Moreover, the personal and professional information can also be misinterpreted, employers. The social media snapshots and messages can be misinterpreted by the employers by

• Not ensuring the social media posts based on real incidents
• Not overreaching social media policy to forbid the secured and protected activities
• Not implementing the social media policy based on the company information
• Not enforcing the social media policy in the organization inconsistently

The social media snapshots and messages are often sent from a personal perspective having the least relation with the professional outlook. Thus, the employers need to verify the social media information, snapshot and messages of the employees before coming into any certain conclusion. Hence, confusion over misinterpretation can be mitigated by

• Developing strong communication between employers and employees
• Justifying and verifying social media information and
• Ethically respecting the personal life and activities of the employees

Hence, the misinterpretation must be sorted out properly for an ethical outcome.