>> Nervous Tick, let’s say you are up for a job and the employer requires your Free Republic password. Is that okay?
Well, for one thing “Nervous Tick” isn’t my actual name, and I wouldn’t put that on my application, so it’s unlikely they would know to ask. The point being, Free Republic is a different beast than FaceBook, which as I understand is a “forum” wherein you ADVERTISE who you are and what you’re into, using your real name. There’s less expectation to privacy when you’re writing your life on a wall in public view, and signing your name to it.
But back to the thrust of your question. What if “tell us all forums you participate in and give us your nick and password” was a generic question on their application? Is that “OK” with me if they ask? Sure. As far as I am concerned a potential employer can ask me anything they want to know.
If I don’t want to tell them, I’ll respectfully decline (and expect not to get the job). If it bothers me that they ask in the first place, I’ll politely excuse myself from the interview. Or, if I need the job that badly — unlikely, since I’m quasi-retired and run my own business but it *could* happen — I might give them the information they’re asking for.
Employment is (or at least should be) a voluntary decision by both parties. As such, it’s “okay” for each party to ask what they need to know of the other — and it’s “okay” for the asked party to answer, or not, as it suits them. The employer “owes” no candidate a job (or privacy, or anything else) other than honest representation, and the candidate “owes” the employer nothing but honesty as well.
I’m astonished by the number of supposed conservatives who think otherwise, frankly.
You've just disqualified yourself from ever working for me. Anyone who will abrogate account security for any reason is not someone I will trust with my company's information.
Ever.