2 ms·

Seriously, how is this remotely workable? On what legal principle do you ban the use of a single website for employment screening, yet essentially allow everyt

Seriously, how is this remotely workable? On what legal principle do you ban the use of a single website for employment screening, yet essentially allow everything else.

ugh 16y ago
I think it’s unlikely (also: prohibited by the German constitution) that Facebook is specifically outlawed. The proposed law probably prohibits searching for private and non-work related information which would include Facebook or a private blog but not a LinkeIn profile. I don’t have any fundamental objections to that (something like ‘employers should have the right to screen applicants however they want’), I just think it’s stupid and won’t work. It’s unenforceable and useless. That’s the article TechCrunch links to: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,713240,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,713240,00... – this is only a small part of a much larger packet of laws aimed at improving employee privacy. The ban on videotaping of employees is at the moment making headlines in Germany and this is actually the first time I heard about this.
notahacker 16y ago
lots of other things are banned from being used for screening in many jurisdictions - age, gender, race, nationality, religious and political views and affiliations, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parenthood, veteran status, medical history, benefit-claimant, expired criminal convictions etc. Funnily enough you'll find most of the above on Facebook. Of course in practice all such laws are largely unenforceable, and rely on recruiters being law-abiding citizens
- Tichy 16y ago
  I would guess that this kind of laws mainly does one thing: create the job of the agent. I wouldn't be surprised if agents are not bound by these laws? After all, they are not hiring. They only suggest people to hire to other companies. Also, while I sympathize with the goals, I sympathize with the plight of the small business owner more. Yet another law == yet another rabbit hole to stumble into. In effect, more costs for hiring lawyers.

Seriously, how is this remotely workable? On what legal principle do you ban the use of a single website for employment screening, yet essentially allow everything else.

ugh 16y ago

I think it’s unlikely (also: prohibited by the German constitution) that Facebook is specifically outlawed. The proposed law probably prohibits searching for private and non-work related information which would include Facebook or a private blog but not a LinkeIn profile. I don’t have any fundamental objections to that (something like ‘employers should have the right to screen applicants however they want’), I just think it’s stupid and won’t work. It’s unenforceable and useless. That’s the article TechCrunch links to: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,713240,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,713240,00... – this is only a small part of a much larger packet of laws aimed at improving employee privacy. The ban on videotaping of employees is at the moment making headlines in Germany and this is actually the first time I heard about this.

notahacker 16y ago

lots of other things are banned from being used for screening in many jurisdictions - age, gender, race, nationality, religious and political views and affiliations, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, parenthood, veteran status, medical history, benefit-claimant, expired criminal convictions etc. Funnily enough you'll find most of the above on Facebook. Of course in practice all such laws are largely unenforceable, and rely on recruiters being law-abiding citizens

Tichy 16y ago
I would guess that this kind of laws mainly does one thing: create the job of the agent. I wouldn't be surprised if agents are not bound by these laws? After all, they are not hiring. They only suggest people to hire to other companies. Also, while I sympathize with the goals, I sympathize with the plight of the small business owner more. Yet another law == yet another rabbit hole to stumble into. In effect, more costs for hiring lawyers.