Becky: I would say that as a manager, you are obligated to ignore your employees’ personal lives and concentrate only upon their professional performance, no matter what their outside personal opinions might be. You’re quite right, in less-than-scrupulous hands, this can (and does) lead to discrimination, but I hope to never work for a business that supports (or doesn’t curtail) such behavior. For the record, my business not only knows that I have an online presence, but they have visited my websites and read the content (I watched the logs) and they have no issues with it whatsoever. My managers are adamant that whatever happens outside work is to remain there and not be taken into account with my job, which I am very happy about. That being said, I make it a policy not to violate that policy by not mentioning any details of my job in online forums. It works out well.

Stacey: But the question is — why? Why be so secretive? I don’t deny you your right to do so, certainly not; however, what would it really matter to me — to anyone — if you posted something as personal as your underwear size on your blog (for instance)? Some things DO matter, I figure — those things that pass between my wife and I that are known only to us, financial details, etc. — but sizes? Preferences? Opinions? Most of those I consider won’t be — can’t be — used against me, at least not by anyone that matters. It’s not like I’m a celebrity, if people really want to know, what the hell, eh?

Wayne: Well, we’ve had this conversation before, so I know your opinions on it, I guess. I figure a lot of your feelings on it also have to do with the fact that you are an intimate part of a small community where everyone and anyone makes it their business to know what everyone else is doing. Growing up in that environment can really make you look over your shoulder all the time. While I’m still somewhat a part of that, I’ve been the black sheep of the family and community for long enough simply not to care anymore for the most part.

Tom: Quite right — while I support folks’ movement toward more openness, you’re quite right in saying that the younger generation doesn’t always fully realize the implications of what they post. They go on rants about employers, post pictures that you simply wouldn’t want everyone to see, and conduct family feuds online. One has to be SMART about how they post online, that’s for sure. That being said, it doesn’t mean you have to be a closed book to be smart.

Nicheplayer: Your blog is quite interesting in those terms; sometimes such incredibly personal details about your life are on there, and yet the very basics about you I don’t know. In some ways, it’s a great combination because we get to see beyond all your layers and into the depths without exposing everything you are to everyone.

Marie: It will be interesting to see what employers automatically give you demerits for having online presences and who don’t, especially when they conduct background checks and see that you have such things (as mine did to me). I think eventually it’ll be seen as being LESS desirable if you don’t have such credentials because you are less savvy and skilled.

Rachel: You’re quite right, many people use online social networking to pump themselves up when the real story is much less glamorous. Then again, in many ways, I see this as the new tool for networking to obtain opportunities, employment, and status. In that context, pumping yourself up a bit is a very accepted methodology. The problem becomes when someone does one thing and yet posts another; eventually his real-life component will call him out and that will cancel all credibility in the long run.

As far as facebook, I don’t have one. There are many in my family that do, and I’m sometimes amazed at what they choose to share. In fact, I have found it’s a way for some to boost themselves up and give others a false sense of who they really are. It’s just weird.

My bro-inlaw had taken leave from work for “mental issues”. But yet, he continued posting on his open facebook about his Disneyworld trip and his many nights of partying. Go figure.
.-= Rachel V´s last blog ..25, Barb and 40 =-.

The theory of anonymity is false. Then again for those who really are an open book in real life, I guess there is nothing to hide. Makes you wonder what things will be like in the near future.
.-= Tom Baker´s last blog ..For Us Ignorant Male Members of Facebook =-.

The very fact that I put pictures of my life on my blog is crazy to some people…concerns about stalkers, pedophiles, etc. I don’t worry about those extremely slim to none chance things. But pics are about as far as I want to go in revealing my life.
.-= Stacey Thomas´s last blog ..A Sweet Friendship Mini Printable Kit =-.

So I’m a manager. I have some input into who we hire, lots of input into who we fire, and write the performance evaluations for all employees on my team. Say I get curious and look up an employee on Facebook–assuming Facebook decides to significantly reduce privacy options–and see information about said employee’s religious or political view points. And say I find them abhorrent. Can I really keep that information out of my head when I’m evaluating that person? I’d like to think I could, but if someone is actively campaigning to keep rights from others or some such, I can’t honestly say that I can.

That person should be able to connect with their friends and honestly talk about what they believe without the fear that someone will see that and then fire them.

One solution is for me to not be so damn nosy and look my employees up on the internet. And I don’t. But I could.

And this is a scenario where the person accessing the private information doesn’t want to use it against them. Put this in the hands of folks with less scruples and folks are getting discriminated against intentionally.