Potential employer asked to FB friend me as a term of employment

[Anonymous]

I interviewed today for a 2x per month position. The mother right off the bat asked me if I would be willing to friend her on FB so she could "get an idea of who I am." I declined and told her that I'd be happy to provide her with a copy of my current, spotless background check, my clean driving record and countless glowing references. I have nothing to hide, I just don't want to blur the line between my professional and private life. Also, I don't need the job. I was just doing it for some extra cash. Is this a thing? It's the first time I've ever (in 10 years of professional nannying) been asked this.

[Anonymous]

That's weird.

[Anonymous]

Yes i would say it's a thing. I am fb friends with my boss unfortunately. She asked during the interview process. I really wanted the job so I gave her what she wanted. It sucks I use fb a lot less now. I know I can block her from posts but I would rather not, so I maybe post something once a month now.

[Anonymous]

Complete lack of healthy professional boundaries.
I'd NEVER stoop down to her level.

[Anonymous]

Some may say it is a sign of the times, but I disagree.

It is overstepping personal boundaries & you would have every right to decline.

I know I sure would.

[Anonymous]

How did she find you, OP?

[Anonymous]

It has been the requirement for one family I had, the job did not work out because she had no concept of personal vs professional life. She asked nosy questions about my dating life and so on. Two families that I really liked never asked for my Facebook but I ended up adding them once we became friends and they brought up Facebook in conversation. My Facebook hasn't had a lot of personal posts ever since that first family

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did she find you, OP?

She found me on a local listserv. The thing is, she would probably really like my FB page. It's all about my nephews and the animal rescue I volunteer with. It's just a line I won't cross.
I am really lucky to have built a client base over the years of people that I really enjoy working for. It's just a bad fit.

[Anonymous]

If you weren't on facebook, would she not hire you?

[Anonymous]

Well, I would tell her not to hire you because you're just doing it for extra cash. You're going to bail on her anyway as soon as you don't like something about the job. So no, don't friend her. Let her move on to someone serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I would tell her not to hire you because you're just doing it for extra cash. You're going to bail on her anyway as soon as you don't like something about the job. So no, don't friend her. Let her move on to someone serious.

It's an occasional babysitting gig. What type of commitment do you think that merits?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed today for a 2x per month position. The mother right off the bat asked me if I would be willing to friend her on FB so she could "get an idea of who I am." I declined and told her that I'd be happy to provide her with a copy of my current, spotless background check, my clean driving record and countless glowing references. I have nothing to hide, I just don't want to blur the line between my professional and private life. Also, I don't need the job. I was just doing it for some extra cash. Is this a thing? It's the first time I've ever (in 10 years of professional nannying) been asked this.

Good for you. That woman is nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did she find you, OP?

She found me on a local listserv. The thing is, she would probably really like my FB page. It's all about my nephews and the animal rescue I volunteer with. It's just a line I won't cross.
I am really lucky to have built a client base over the years of people that I really enjoy working for. It's just a bad fit.

Good lesson for parents who think it's ok to ask anything. It isn't. And it might result in unfortunate consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed today for a 2x per month position. The mother right off the bat asked me if I would be willing to friend her on FB so she could "get an idea of who I am." I declined and told her that I'd be happy to provide her with a copy of my current, spotless background check, my clean driving record and countless glowing references. I have nothing to hide, I just don't want to blur the line between my professional and private life. Also, I don't need the job. I was just doing it for some extra cash. Is this a thing? It's the first time I've ever (in 10 years of professional nannying) been asked this.

Your babysitting. When you are looking to let someone into your home 2 times a month to watch your kids I would want to do all I can also to make sure you are a god person, and checking FB would be a good start since most of the 20 something out there put some crazy stuff on FB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed today for a 2x per month position. The mother right off the bat asked me if I would be willing to friend her on FB so she could "get an idea of who I am." I declined and told her that I'd be happy to provide her with a copy of my current, spotless background check, my clean driving record and countless glowing references. I have nothing to hide, I just don't want to blur the line between my professional and private life. Also, I don't need the job. I was just doing it for some extra cash. Is this a thing? It's the first time I've ever (in 10 years of professional nannying) been asked this.

Your babysitting. When you are looking to let someone into your home 2 times a month to watch your kids I would want to do all I can also to make sure you are a god person, and checking FB would be a good start since most of the 20 something out there put some crazy stuff on FB.

I'm 35.