Bill would keep social media passwords out of employers’ hands

The work-personal line sometimes seems blurry when you’re friending bosses, colleagues and organizations you work with on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Some people use social media in their work, so how much access should employers have to those accounts?

With some employers now demanding passwords for social networking sites from their workers, a group of senators from Washington state is trying to keep that information private.

The bill would prohibit companies from making current or potential employees hand over their passwords.

“It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or the state of Washington, its political subdivisions, or municipal corporations to require, directly or indirectly, as a condition of employment or continued employment, that any employee or prospective employee submit any password or other related account information in order to gain access to the employee’s or prospective employee’s account,” says Senate Bill 5211.

The bill would not protect employees from employers looking at information or images that are public on their profiles within social media sites.

Under the bill, if there is civil action based on a violation of the act, the employee may be awarded $500, and potentially more in damages and legal fees.

KIRO Radio Editor Seth Keller contributed to this report.