Over 80% of people in the UK have some sort of social media account – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. These sites are a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. They also let us connect with people around the world with similar interests. But when you’re applying for a new job, could your employer check your social media presence? And how could what you say or do on social media affect any CRB checks?
Pre-Employment Checks
Each employer makes their own rules about what checks they are going to do on new workers. Some will just do the basics of checking passports for right to work in the UK. Others, especially in the financial sector, will look at credit history. You might be asked for references. Whatever the policy, it should be explained to you when the job is offered. Also, good employers apply their policies fairly which means doing the same checks on everyone, irrespective of nationality, gender or age.
Social Media Checks
Lots of employers also hit the internet to see what your social media footprint is. Given that so many people are using social media, having accounts isn’t an issue. Neither is posting pictures of your kids, pets or following celebrities on Instagram. But if you’re tweeting extreme political views, ranting about how much you hate your job or mocking someone’s religious beliefs, then it might come back to bite you. Employers might trawl through several months or years of posts to catch that on picture you’d rather was private. There’s no need to lock down your social media accounts if you don’t want to. A good rule of thumb is the “granny rule”. If it’s not something you would be prepared to share with your granny in person, then don’t post it online.
Social Media and CRB Checks
Sometimes, things that are said or done on social media can cross the line from unsavoury, to criminal. The law has been slow to keep up with the pace of change on the internet, but is gradually catching up. Some internet users still have the idea that things they type or say online don’t really matter. However, harassment and threats of violence have been crimes for a long time, irrespective of whether the threat is online, or in person. New crimes such as sending revenge porn or cyberbullying might also land you with a criminal record.
If you are arrested, cautioned or convicted, these online or social media crimes will show up on a police check just as any other crime. Depending on the type of police check, convictions and cautions might be considered spent after a certain period of time. You’ll still have to do some explaining to your employer though. Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically bar you from employment. But you should be able to show that you have changed your ways, and that includes keeping your social media accounts squeaky clean. Nothing’s ever really private when you plaster it all over the net.