Tennessee has a social media workplace privacy law now, y’all

Here are some Tennessee fun facts:

• The city of Kingston served as Tennessee’s state capital for one day (September 21, 1807)
• There are more horses per capita in Shelby County than any other county in the United States.
• Tennessee ties with Missouri as the most neighborly state in the union. It is bordered by 8 states.
• The name “Tennessee” was chosen to support the pick-up line, “Are you from Tennessee? Because you’re the only Ten I see.”

And now Tennessee becomes the latest state to have a social media workplace privacy law.

You know the drill:

1. No asking for employee or applicant social media passwords
2. No forcing an employee or applicant to friend you
3. No should surfing
4. No adverse action based on the failure to do 1-3

The new law contains some exceptions to allow employers to gain access to an employee’s private social media content (e.g., to support a workplace investigation). 

It takes effect on 1/1/15.

But, this is all so 2013.

If you’re on LinkedIn, consider joining the discussion of news, trends and insights in employment law, HR, and the workplace, by becoming a member of The Employer Handbook LinkedIn Group. Tell ’em Meyer sent you.