AIBU? DfT pay Capita to perform social media screening

[HairyFrogMother]

DfT have hired Capita to perform social media screening of job applicants to DfT, DVLA, DVAS, VCA and Coastguard.

www.publictechnology.net/articles/news/dft-hires-capita-screen-job-applicants’-social-media-accounts

I appreciate that in the modern age we many all look people up before we do business or otherwise get involved with them but this just makes the hairs on back of my neck crawl.

We must see some serious transparency about the criteria Capita have been given. Fine to check a job applicant isn’t posting bomb making videos or talking about their plans for a mass shooting but what if they are just expressing views that are considered unfavourable by the prevailing culture, like say, expressing the view biology is real and belief in gender identity is a quasi-religion, what then? What happens to the report Capita produce? Are DfT going to hold that on file? for how long? Will they share it?

Is this reasonable? Would you expect an employer to send ppl to poke about and check what you are saying in the pub, because it seems to me that’s what this really amount to.

I wouldn’t, but social media is publishing comments publicly. It brings liability. That’s why I’m anonymous on here, although I shouldn’t have to be because I’m not saying anything wrong.

Saying something in the pub is speaking publicly - if we aren't breaking the law do we expect to have our words put in a government report?

If the only way to speak freely in the UK today is to speak anonymously then we are in real trouble, aren't we?

I agree. I started a new job fairly recently and knew they would look at social media. I did delete lots of posts even though all I did was speak biological truth.
That is why maya’s judgment is so important.

I think you are on to something here @HairyFrogMother .
I personally dont post anything on Fbook, Lkdin etc. that I wouldn't stand over.
I am fairly (in both senses of the word) GC but restrict my views to here, anonymously.

Should my employment rely on chats that I have with my "friends"?
Where are the boundaries between private and public life?

Fair fucks.

As far as social media is concerned, if you live by the sword you die by the sword.

Interesting, most peoples accounts are private now in my experience, well not Linked In but nothing controversial really gets said there..

Whats the situation there? Are they saying that applicants will have to provide Capita with the usernames and passwords for their own social media accounts? Just say, no i don't use social media! How are they going to prove otherwise?

I use Facebook regularly. My username is a tweaking of my real name, I am "unsearchable", my account is completely locked down. I never ever mention my employer by name. I would defy Capita to find me!

Just say, no i don't use social media! How are they going to prove otherwise?

I use Facebook regularly. My username is a tweaking of my real name, I am "unsearchable", my account is completely locked down. I never ever mention my employer by name. I would defy Capita to find me!

If it's subsequently discovered that you lied about having no social media, I wonder if that's grounds for dismissal.

I find your acceptance of the idea that voicing an opinion on social media makes a person fair game for any and all punishment or discrimination someone else may wish to visit upon them highly lamentable.

If a Parton has a racists view or sexists view then most would agree this are unpleasant opinions but what if the prospective employer's sustain is for someone with/without pronouns on their SM profile? What if it's on the basis the person voted for/against Brexit? What if the have photos of them drinking with friends and the employer says 'oh we don't want ppl who drink working here.' LGB Alliance have been branded a hate group by TRA groups simple for having the temerity to exists purely for same-sex attracted ppl - what if an employer sees an applicant wearing a t-shirt in a SM photo - is that reason enough?

Forstater's ruling protects ppl who hold GC views from getting the sack but what's to stop them never getting a job to start with if we allow employers to blantantly use tax payers money to compile reports on ppl based on their stated or implied opinions?

It is already common practice for recruiters to screen social media.

Many years ago a friend applied for a job at GCHQ, and I was paid a visit by a gentleman in a tweed jacket and horn rimmed spectacles and given a very thorough and forensic grilling about my friend's family background, political affiliations, drug taking and sexual preferences.

The department of transport is less sensitive, but there might have been cases of employees being bribed to look up details from a number plate, or make some points on a licence "disappear".

Speaking and publishing are subtly different. I think the issue is ordinary things being treated as extraordinary. But I agree overall, I don’t think they should screen people in that way.

I would want to know if they distinguish between private and public, anonymous and named. If private then I would not agree to them going through my holiday snaps and puerile jokes. I literally don't even have anything to hide, I would just feel uncomfortable about stupid in-jokes or even comments from friends being passed on to an employer.
OTOH I would be criticising someone who employed someone who was clearly inappropriate as evidenced by public social media posts - Girl Guiding springs to mind, or the NSPCC guy. So I think it depends what they would look for.

I think if you apply to join GCHQ or some other part of the security service you expect to be heavily vetting and subject to some serious background checks. Should the same be said for applying to be an admin assistant at the DVLA?

It's rubbish and concerning but I just shy away from anything remotely contentious on social media. One tip those is never add work friends and keep profile locked down

Of course not.

Seeing as a dodgy but genuine licence is the holy grail for traffickers, terrorists, money launderers and anybody else who wants to have legal documentation to prove they're whoever they want and don't have points/medical issues/criminal convictions and driving licence/test fraud in both who takes them and ID is rife - yes, yes, I do expect an admin assistant at the DVLA to be checked.