Social Media Background Screening definition

A controversial process whereby employers browse social media profiles of applicants in order to find positive or negative information that may help them decide if the candidate is suitable for an open position. Social media background screening may be conducted at the initial application stage or after a short-list has been developed.

Employers should be aware that making decisions based on publicly-available information may fall foul of anti-discrimination laws and should think carefully before looking through the social media profiles of their applicants.