Hi, here’s your HR quickie for today, December 20th 2023.

This new law from New York actually isn’t effective until March 12,2024 – that’s right – Tuesday, March 12th…..(no, I have no idea why).

In any event, the new law prohibits employers from asking or an employee’s or applicant’s user name and/or password so they can get access to a personal account or service through electronic communication devices.

In other words, no- you can’t ask for my social media login info; and you also can’t force me to log in so you can see what’s in there.

This shouldn’t really be much of a surprise to most people.  The push to shore up the privacy protections for employees and applicants is only going to get broader.

Now, on the flip side – anything that’s posted to the public is considered public information.  So as a reminder to us all – if you don’t want it seen, don’t post it.

Be sure your managers, recruiters and everyone in any type of leadership role is clear that they can’t force someone to give them access so they can snoop around in someone’s private social media accounts