Search
 
Commentary

Are Potential Employers Making Private Info Public?

When an employer "requests" a Facebook username and password from a potential employee and is subsequently sued for violation of privacy, will the Commercial General Liability policy come to the rescue?

By David D. Thamann | Updated on June 25, 2012

Not being a computer aficionado, I cannot understand why anyone would list his or her comings and goings, likes and dislikes, private practices, pictures and relationships on the computer. In my opinion, this personal information is interesting only to the person who publishes it. I also thought that such information was private until I read about some companies requesting/demanding Facebook usernames and passwords from potential employees. This tactic hit home recently when my daughter was faced with this issue while applying for a job.

My first thought when she told me about the “request” was that the company had no right to pry into her personal life. But then I realized that perhaps the company had sound reasons to seek as much information as possible about a potential employee. And finally, I started to think about this from an insurance perspective; specifically, can the company be sued for violating a person’s privacy, and would a liability policy apply to such a lawsuit?

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free
PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader.

INCLUDED IN A DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP:

  • All PropertyCasualty360.com news coverage, best practices, and in-depth analysis.
  • Educational webcasts, resources from industry leaders, and informative newsletters.
  • Other award-winning websites including BenefitsPRO.com and ThinkAdvisor.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Dig Deeper

Recommended Stories

PropertyCasualty360

Join PropertyCasualty360

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed decisions for your P&C insurance business. Join PropertyCasualty360.com now!

  • Unlimited access to PropertyCasualty360.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including BenefitsPRO.com, ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on PropertyCasualty360, National Underwriter, Claims and ALM events

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join PropertyCasualty360

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.