Screening Job Candidates on Facebook: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

Controversy surrounds recent revelations of companies demanding log-in details for prospective employees' Facebook profiles. That's a step too far. Regardless, increasing numbers of employers and recruiters "informally" use social media profiles to screen job candidates. With information at their fingertips, checking out an individual's reputation and habits seems a logical way to avoid hiring the wrong person. But experts warn it's risky. Unsuccessful applicants may claim that an employer has contravened the Fair Work Act or privacy and discrimination laws. And there's a reverse onus on employers to prove they didn't do it!