Oregon Is 10th State to Pass Social Media Privacy Law

Author: Beth P. Zoller, XpertHR Legal Editor

June 3, 2013

Effective January 1, 2014, Oregon will prohibit employers from compelling an employee or applicant to disclose or provide access to a personal social media account or to add an employer to a social media contact list. +2013 Bill Text OR H.B. 2654. The new Oregon social media law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees or refusing to hire applicants who fail to provide such information.

The new law includes certain limited protections for employers. For example, employers may conduct investigations of employee misconduct involving an employee's personal online account or service.

Based on this new law, Oregon employers should review and amend their workplace policies regarding interviewing, hiring, social media and privacy. Further, employers should provide training to all supervisors and those with hiring responsibilities on the requirements of the new law.

Additional Resources

Social Media Password Privacy Protection Legislation - Chart

Social Media Policy

Social Media Dos and Don'ts - Supervisor Briefing