Chicago Tribune (03/21/12) Ashley Rueff

It is not unusual for employers to research job applicants’ social media use, but Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) thinks it is a violation of privacy for interviewers to ask applicants to log into their Facebook accounts during the interview. Ford has proposed legislation that would make it illegal for employers to request applicants to provide access to their Facebook accounts. He says the bill will protect people who are afraid to turn down an employer’s request due to concerns about termination or not being offered a job. The bill is expected to pass the House in the coming days and then move to the Senate.