Would you put your MN username on a job application?

[noblegiraffe]

A school job application form requests that applicants give all social media usernames, including any pseudonyms and details of any websites they are involved with, for background safeguarding checks.

I understand that they might do a Google search and find publicly available stuff but this feels way too intrusive.

I can’t say that I’d apply for a job there.

schoolsweek.co.uk/teaching-hopefuls-asked-for-details-of-any-website-youre-named-on/

I wouldn't admit to any anonymous accounts like this one! I don't like the idea really. I can see if your real name is on social media they might want to check that - I've had colleagues bitch about work on their Facebook and then get in trouble

I'm not entirely sure this is human rights compatible. You have a right to a private life and freedom of expression.

Unless you have actually done something which shows you are unsuitable or dangerous around children, then while they can ask, they may not really be entitled to get.

Er no.
But some people apply with their totally inappropriate email addresses so maybe they would.

Why would you? It's anonymous. How could they ever know it was you? You just wouldn't admit to having a MN account

Hmm is that a recent article? Probably explains our morning briefing where the deputy informed us all the school would be searching Facebook accounts/LinkedIn etc. Apparently it’s been added to the HR policy.

No. Not a chance. I have a reasonable expectation of anonymity on MN. My employer has no need or right to know about my menstrual cycles, post partum body challenges or domestic arrangements. Posting anonymously cannot bring any empolyer into disrepute. I wouldn’t agree to apply to this employer.

Seems a roundabout way of asking if your students will find you on OnlyFans

No!

They've got DBS for criminal checks.

I would imagine they'd have to make sure that if you were the successful applicant, your pupils and parents of pupils wouldn't find distasteful things about you on social media. But as MN is anonymous there is no way in hell they'd know it was you unless you specifically gave yourself away.

I wouldn't.

I've had about 20/30 usernames over the years there is no way I'd be able to tell them.

No way! Teacher here (we have enhanced background checks) wouldn't even cross my mind to put MN down. Twitter and Instagram - yes but not MN.

Im pretty much only on here and i dont make what could be considered controversial posts so ive nothing to hide as such

but no….I wouldn’t give them my details

No, of course you don't. The fact you are even considering doing so is odd.

Why? It's teaching not MI5/ MI6 / Counter terrorism unit

I wouldn't give my mumsnet names. The relative anonymity means I talk about experiences that have been challenging to me emotionally, which I wouldn't divulge to a potential employer.

I am fine with my named social media being checked by any potential employer though. I never say anything publicly on social media that I would be ashamed of in my professional life. Since qualifying in my profession/vocation I have been super careful about everything I post. Luckily I didn't post much pre-qualifying!

Nope, work is not my life or I’m entitled to a life outside of work!

I wouldn't apply for a job that asked this. You can easily work out my sexuality and politics even though I lock down a lot. People have a right to a private life

This seems very plausible. I doubt they're looking for you MN username.

No and the other stuff they ask for is an infringement of your right to privacy. Tell them you don't do sm.

Nope, if something is anonymous enough for them to not be able to find my profile during their own checks then it isn't of any concern to them.

I wouldn’t interpret this as Mumsnet, or similar to be honest.

A lot of teachers have professional Twitter accounts so I’d presume they meant that, or LinkedIn.

They don't mean anonymous forums like MN or Reddit etc. They mean places where you could conceivably be found via your real name such as FB, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok.

I overheard a recruitment talk at work a couple months ago, (was sharing a room). They weren’t just talking about OnlyFans but more Facebook etc. I think part of it was around making sure things aren’t public that might bring an organisation into disrepute. That’s common sense though, and I really think it’s overstepping.

For any kind of job application - a big fat hell NO. Its only an application, its not even at first interview stage never mind a job offer.

Once all interviews and checks/references have been done and job offered on condition of this - a big fat hell no. Unless its for a high ranking government job that requires extensive background checks such as MI5 etc

Basically its a NO from me.

PMSL. I wouldn't even begin to think of giving anyone my MN name. I don't use any other social media precisely because I value my privacy.

Nope not a chance