NEWS // Face up to Facebook
Interview candidates be aware!
Picture this, you have an interview next week, you've read up on the company, you've had your suit dry-cleaned and you know you are qualified for the job. Our advice is to stop and think what is on your Facebook page (or other equivalent website). What is to stop your potential future employer searching your details on the internet and finding your Facebook page? Think about what is contained on the page and whether you would want your current boss or future boss to read it. Providing there is no discriminatory element to the interviewer's decision not to hire you, there is no reason why they can not take this information into account.
Comments on Facebook pages about 'skiving' and 'being out of it at the weekend' may not set you in the best light at this crucial stage in applying for a job.
Conclusion
So we have all been warned of the dangers of Facebook. In summary our advice would be to monitor use carefully (within the bounds of your internet policy and data protection laws) and take a practical and consistent approach to usage. If necessary consider blocking access to the site, allowing for exceptions to be made where it could genuinely be used as a business tool.
Don't forget that copyright laws can easily be breached, for example if an individual sends a copy of s celebrity interview protected by copyright laws to friends on the networking site. Employers should be aware that they could be held vicariously liable for such breaches.
Employees, learn from Tom Beech, a former Argos employee who was dismissed for gross misconduct after setting up a Facebook networking group entitled 'I work at Argos and Can't Wait To Leave Because It's Sh..'. According to the Sun newspaper, Tom regretted his actions and commented, 'My mistake was to sound off on Facebook. I wish I'd moaned at a mate'.
For further details please contact John Lee on 0131 226 8216
or email him john.lee@mbmcommercial.co.uk