Employers are looking at social media sites to vet job applicants, and content like drugs, alcohol and negative personality traits weigh on their employment decisions.
In 2018, 70% of employers reported looking at an applicant's social media site to evaluate them, and 60% eliminated candidates based on negative content, according to a study done by Pennsylvania State University.
Employers specifically look to dismiss candidates who have content suggesting drug or alcohol abuse or posts showing they are self-absorbed or overly opinionated.
While people have a First Amendment right to post whatever they like on social media, private companies also have the right to monitor social media sites and make employment decisions based on content not included in protected categories, said Jessica Post, director at Phoenix-based law firm Fennemore Craig PC and chair of its Labor and Employment Practice Group.
