Erin

Rogers 14 February 2013 JOUR 135 Media Privacy Law Protects but does not Prevent Status updates and tweets are not just for the eyes of followers anymore. Employers and different companies look into what employees are posting on Facebook, Twitter and other forms of social media. Pictures of someone puking into a toilet or status updates about how much one hates his or her job is not something an employee wants their boss to see. To make sure information is private, people are making their pages private and blocking certain people. Even with restrictions, employers were finding ways to access social information and some even demand login information. To protect employees rights to the private information on social media, Assembly Bill 1344 made its way through Congress and became a law on Jan. 1 thanks to Governor Jerry Brown. Known as the Social Media Privacy Act, this law prohibits employers from demanding user names or passwords of employee social media accounts. Originally created by California State Assembly Representative Nora Campos, this law also states an employee cannot be terminated for not releasing such information. Even though employees are now protected under law, does AB 1844 really have an impact on employers accessing social media accounts? Social media can either help people get a job or destroy their chances, said Sacramento State Career Counselor David McVey. Bosses arent going to hire someone who goes to parties every weekend or one that talks bad about previous jobs. Instead of damaging ones reputation, McVey says use social media to help get a job. Post things that show your accomplishments, he said. Your involvement on a clubs page or your work history might sway that future employer in a different direction. Student Shakara Jones says her retail job at Crossroads Trading Co. required her to sign a contract before employment stating she would not post anything defamatory about the company on any form of social media.

 Even before I started working I had to sign a statement saying I would not post bad things about Crossroads, Jones said. Its not fair that we have to watch what we say on our own accounts. Crossroads is not the only company that wants employees to watch what they say on social media. Even though Nordstrom does not have a contract prohibiting our employees from talking about us on the Internet, we do want them to use their best judgment, said Nordstrom Human Resources Associate Rhonda Ryan. To keep up with social media, Ryan said Nordstrom is active on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more. Even though Ryan did not directly say she looks to social media for those wanting to get hired, she advised to keep a clean history. Since our company works with many forms of social media, we would not want to hire anyone who could damage our reputation, Ryan said. Everyone looking to get or keep a job should always be cautious when it comes to posting things. With social media expanding everyday, different departments at Sac State utilize the Internet in different ways. Graphic design student Dana Thompson said she has to watch everything she does online. The majority of my design projects, for both school and work, are expected to be available online, Thompson said. I am careful with what I post because if my family wouldnt appreciate seeing it, than my boss wouldnt want to see it either. When asked whether she thought this law would protect employees, Thompson said she believes employers would continue to look up employees on social media with or without usernames. I would expect employers to check our social media accounts because were nerds and this is what we do, Thompson said. It is better to be safe than sorry. Even though the law protects employees, all sources stated they would continue to watch what they post online and urge others to do the same. Do not assume that just because your page is private that all the posts and pictures are as well, said counselor McVey. Use social media to your advantage.

This Social Media Law prohibits employers from asking for certain information but everyone should be cautious about information posted on social media, private or not. Word Count: 688 Contacts: David McVey, Career Counselor (916)278-6318 Rhonda Ryan, Human Resources (916)646-2400 Shakara Jones, student (707)365-6338 Dana Thompson, student (916)204-0403