Allowing employers unabridged access to employees’ online profiles, such as networking sites, blogs, Web pages and other personal online media, is an invasion of privacy that could easily destroy a beneficial working relationship.

There may be nothing wrong with the person’s online information, but it leaves the potential for hasty generalizations.

It also borders on an infringement of civil rights.

When an employer checks up on a job candidate or current employee online, it is sort of like riffling through the person’s journal, scrapbook and phone book all at once.

An employer looking through a blog may already have crossed a line of privacy the employee would not normally consent to.

Swearing or engaging in on an online rant may lead employers to believe the person is angry and prone to “fly off the handle,” even though their demeanor at work is pleasant and reserved.

Pictures tell stories that may be best left untold to someone’s boss.

Things seen as incriminating may cause employers to take it upon themselves to invade privacy further and intervene if they see things as destructive in the person’s life, such as pictures of the employee dressed in punk or goth style or pictures of contraband.

This could entail calling a rehabilitation service or other authorities.

When a boss has access to personal information that reflects countercultural views or activities and habits that are not in keeping with the company’s values, the control of the employee over their working relationship is diminished.

The person may be professional and excellent at what they do, but their employer knows from looking at their online information that they listen to metal, practice Wicca, or use marijuana.

This may strain a working relationship in a situation where productivity and synthesis may have been ideal if a professional distance was kept between the lives of boss and employee.

One must keep information they would not want a potential employer to see hidden, remain anonymous and not link to their e-mail or stay off of the Internet; one must be safe and be smart!