Q&A 6

1. In face-to-face interviews, interviewers are trained not ask applicants for certain types 
of information irrelevant to the job (for example, age, marital status, disabilities) to 
avoid charges of discrimination. An increasing number of companies are searching the 
web (e.g., blogs, Facebook, MySpace) for information about job applicants. 

(a) Give arguments in favor of such searches 

I'm such a favor of the searches, if someone wants to be found on screen they will put themselves in a profile on twitter, facebook and myspace. It's up to the person making their profile(s) what and who they want the world to see them as, they can sensor and make their profile mature or they can be immature and reckless ( which may jeopardize their character). It's a good, public way  for the job agency or company to find out who this applicant is. The applicant has all the control in the world to show what they want in the western colors they want the world seems so if the company comes across something negative it's the applicants fault. Plus, if customers of a company see an employee’s web page and it is out of control, it could damage a company’s reputation.

(b) Give argument against 

It is kind of a violation of privacy. If interviewers don’t ask certain questions to avoid discrimination, can’t you go as far as to say it is discriminatory to investigate someone’s web profile? For example, if a girl is a lesbian, and nobody knows it, but searches the web and finds out, and then she is discriminated against … it is NOT right.  

(c) If legislation were introduced making such searches unlawful, would you support 
it? Why or why not? 

I would not be unhappy either way, however I lean towards keeping the searches legal. We have power over our own profiles on the web. However we choose to represent ourselves publicly, also represents our company. 

2. Why is it difficulty to determine the number of jobs (a) eliminated and (b) created by 
computers? 

It is very difficult to determine the number of jobs eliminated and created by computers because the stats fluctuate. There are jobs launching on everyday faces through computers that entails other employment and jobs. Where as other jobs are being lost on a daily basis, which causes unemployment, and a ripple effect that can cause other jobs to be lost. A lot of jobs in agriculture and factory work have been eliminated by moving towards a more technological, automated way of doing things. As technology advances and new jobs are created, many jobs become obsolete. 

3. Using the Freedom of Information Act and similar state laws, some people have 
requested the e-mail of governors, legislators and past and current presidents. These 
requests raise the issue of whether the e-mail of government employees is personal 
conversation or official government documents. What do you think? Why? 

It is a very controversial subject. However, because of the status and power involved in political affairs, I believe that under certain circumstances, e-mails should be provided. Although it is somewhat a breach of privacy, it should be understood that it is for the greater good of our nation. Our representatives, be them governors or presidents, shouldn’t be hiding information from the public. It just seems as though it would take a corrupt official to question why people need access to any of their emails. With great power, comes great responsibility.