Are employers allowed to monitor their employees’ posts on social media?

In Washington, employers are generally allowed to monitor their employees’ posts on social media. Washington’s law provides that employers are allowed to collect and use information obtained from social media accounts, including posts made by their employees. However, the employer must have a legitimate business reasons to be monitoring the posts. In addition, employers cannot take any action against an employee for any content posted to social media unless the content directly affects the employment relationship. Employers also have their own rules about the use of social media at work, and employees are expected to follow those rules. Employers have the right to monitor any activity that occurs on their employer-provided devices or network, including any posts made on social media. Employers also are generally not allowed to require employees to divulge their social media login information. In addition, it is illegal for an employer to require or coerce an employee to add them as a “friend” on a social media platform. Overall, employers in Washington are generally allowed to monitor their employees’ posts on social media, but they must do so in a legal and respectful manner. They cannot require or coerce an employee to share their login information or add them as a “friend.” They also can only take action against an employee for posts that have a direct impact on the employment relationship.

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Are employers allowed to monitor their employees’ posts on social media?

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