She Strengthens

Your Online Presence: What Employers Can See and How to Protect Yourself

In today’s digital age, our online activities can have a significant impact on our public image and professional reputation. As more and more employers are recognizing the importance of online presence, they are taking steps to monitor their employees’ online activities to protect their corporate reputations.

The Limits of Online Anonymity

With the rise of social media, it has become increasingly difficult to remain anonymous online. Employers are now using various methods to gather information about their employees’ online activities. But what can an employer really do to monitor you online, and what is considered corporate overreach?

Google Searches: A Window into Your Online Life

Employers are entitled to conduct Google searches on their employees to gather information that is publicly available. This means that if your social media accounts are not set to private, your employer can access and use this information to inform their decisions about you. To avoid any potential issues, it’s essential to manage your online presence by setting your social media accounts to private and restricting public access.

The Risks of Social Media Interactions

Even with private social media settings, interacting with third-party sites through social media can still pose risks. Commenting on news articles, blogs, or other websites through a social media account does not extend the protection of your social media settings to those sites. Moreover, engaging in online behavior that is deemed unacceptable can have real-world consequences, including being identified and exposed on websites designed to out people who behave reprehensibly online.

Protecting Your Account Information

Some employers are demanding social media access information from their employees, which can be a serious invasion of privacy. While some states have laws to limit this behavior, many do not. It’s crucial to research and understand the legal protections offered by your state and to insist on your rights when necessary. For example, in Washington, it’s illegal to coerce prospective or current employees to give away their login information.

Internet Usage Monitoring at Work

When using a work computer, your employer is entitled to install monitoring software, including keyloggers and internet usage monitoring programs. This means that your online activities can be recorded and monitored by your employer. To avoid any potential issues, it’s best to avoid logging in or using your online social media networks on work devices.

Take Control of Your Online Presence

In conclusion, it’s essential to take control of your online presence to protect yourself from potential issues with your employer. By setting your social media accounts to private, avoiding online behavior that can be deemed unacceptable, researching your state’s laws on social media access, and being cautious when using work devices, you can minimize the risks associated with online monitoring.