Employer’s Access To Employee Social Media Accounts Limited Under State Law

By Linda Farneth

The Colonial Beach School System recently adopted Policy # GAD: Access To Employee Social Media Accounts.

The policy is in compliance with Virginia Code § 40.1-28.7:5, and forbids employers from forcing employees or prospective employees from giving out their username and password of any of their personal social media accounts.

However it also protects an employer from liability if the employer obtains the username and password through the employee’s use of company electronic devices. The statute does not stop a prospective employer or current employer from accessing personal social media accounts that are public.

Let’s take a closer look at Virginia Code § 40.1-28.7:5

Read the full article here.